Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Gaming Community Divided Over Xbox and Activision Job Cuts
The gaming community is divided over recent layoffs at Xbox and Activision, sparking debates about industry awareness versus personal engagement with games. This discourse highlights a growing tension between viewing games as corporate products and appreciating the human effort behind them, especially in the context of industry consolidation.
MMO Week in Review: EQ Legends’ beta, Ashes of Creation’s drama
This week's MMO news roundup covers the upcoming closed beta for EverQuest Legends and ongoing legal drama surrounding Ashes of Creation. Several other titles like AdventureQuest Worlds Infinity, Dune Awakening, and Temtem Pioneers also saw significant updates or funding news.
Following mass layoffs, Epic are reportedly putting their hopes on a Disney extraction shooter
Epic Games is reportedly developing a Disney-themed extraction shooter, set to release in November, as part of a $1.5 billion deal. This comes after significant layoffs at Epic and internal concerns about the originality of the game's mechanics. The company aims to build a new universe of Disney experiences despite aggressive timelines and past product release issues.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Dev Team Reportedly Laid Off
The development team for Leenzee's Soulslike action RPG, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, has reportedly been laid off due to dissatisfaction with the game's reception. The game's director, Xia Siyuan, is among those affected, with claims of unpaid salaries and potential legal action. Future content updates for the game are now unlikely.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Producer/Director Fired, Studio Faces Layoffs – Rumor
Rumors suggest that developer Leenzee has laid off its team behind Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, including producer and director Xia Siyuan, due to dissatisfaction with the game's reception. The studio is reportedly facing financial difficulties, with talk of unpaid salaries and legal action, potentially leaving additional planned content unused.
After Tough Launch, Samson Dev Promises More Polish And Refinements This Month
Developer Liquid Swords has outlined a series of updates for Samson: A Tyndalston Story throughout April to address technical issues and refine gameplay following a difficult launch. The studio, comprised of former Just Cause developers, plans multiple patches to improve stability, polish, and address player feedback, with some progression blockers already fixed. Studio head Christofer Sundberg acknowledged the game's challenging debut and the impact of past layoffs on development.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Has Been Rated for Nintendo Switch 2 in Taiwan
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has been rated for the Nintendo Switch 2 by the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee, indicating a potential new port for the game. The title, originally released in 2021, has already seen success across multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, and was previously available on Nintendo Switch via cloud streaming. This rating comes shortly after Eidos Montreal, the game's developer, experienced significant layoffs.
Xbox co-creator says "it's just not true" gaming is on the decline despite layoff apocalypse
Former Xbox executive Ed Fries argues that the video game industry is not in decline, citing PC game growth and the increasing importance of global markets like China. Despite widespread layoffs and studio closures, Fries believes the industry has historically experienced cyclical swings and continues to show potential for significant growth.
The hidden cost of layoffs: Why AAA production stability depends on senior talent | Opinion
The article argues that recent industry-wide layoffs, particularly in AAA game development, are not just cost corrections but structural disruptions that erode institutional knowledge and decision-making capacity. This loss of senior talent, crucial for maintaining continuity and managing complex projects, destabilizes production and risks the long-term competitiveness of North American studios. The author suggests that external development can serve as a continuity layer if treated as infrastructure rather than a transactional cost.
Samson Studio Lead Says He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and delivery of a $25 experience.
Samson Studio Lead Said He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and a $25 player experience.
Just Cause co-creator made new crime game Samson because he is sick of "swallowing all the crap that the industry…
Christopher Sundberg, co-founder of Avalanche Studios and co-director of the Just Cause series, has released a new crime game called Samson through his studio Liquid Swords. Sundberg views Samson as a statement against current industry trends, which he feels are dominated by established intellectual property and plagued by layoffs. Despite mixed early reception on Steam, citing issues like clunky combat and performance problems, the developer is proud of the project and aims to improve it.
GoPro to lay off over 20 percent of staff by the end of 2026
GoPro plans to lay off 23 percent of its global workforce, impacting 145 employees by the end of 2026 as part of a restructuring effort. The company is facing increased competition from rivals like DJI and Insta360, as well as smartphone cameras, after experiencing a revenue decline in 2025. Despite these challenges, GoPro is optimistic about 2026, pinning its hopes on its new AI-centric GP3 processor for upcoming camera models.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 561: From Season Zero to confusing heroes
The Massively OP Podcast episode 561 covers Guild Wars Reforged's update, Elder Scrolls Online's Season Zero, and the upcoming Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss layoffs at MechWarrior Online, the role of nostalgia in MMOs, and the concept of single-player MMOs.
CD Projekt Red veteran tells game devs to unionize after Epic adds 1,000 people to the layoff pile: "Collectively,…
CD Projekt Red localization QA analyst Paula Mackiewicz-Armstrong advocates for unionization in the game industry following mass layoffs at Epic Games. She emphasizes that collective action can influence corporate decisions, while individual employees are vulnerable to market forces. Mackiewicz-Armstrong points to union contracts as a means to negotiate terms for layoffs, such as severance pay and warning times.
Take-Two Interactive apparently laid off gen AI devs after being bullish about the technology
Take-Two Interactive has reportedly laid off its generative AI development team, including former developers Luke Dicken and Jason Leon. This move comes just two months after CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed the company's active embrace of generative AI technology in game development. The layoffs are attributed to shifting priorities from upper management, indicating a potential change in the company's strategy regarding AI.
Battling Layoffs, GTA Comparisons, And The Industry's "Crap:" How Just Cause's Creator Is Risking It All
Christofer Sundberg, co-creator of Just Cause and founder of Liquid Swords, discusses the upcoming release of his studio's first game, Samson: A Tyndalston Story. The interview covers the challenges of development, including significant layoffs that led to a scaled-down, more focused AA experience priced at $25. Sundberg also shares candid opinions on the current state of the video game industry, criticizing a lack of strategy and courage among leadership, and expresses his commitment to making bold new IPs despite the risks.
Tomb Raider remake to be delayed to 2027 claims insider
An insider claims that the Tomb Raider remake, Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis, has been delayed to February 2027, missing its original 2026 release window and the franchise's 30th anniversary. This potential delay, along with ongoing layoffs at developer Crystal Dynamics following its acquisition by Embracer Group, raises uncertainty about the future of the franchise, including the previously announced Tomb Raider: Catalyst.
Is Fortnite’s Popularity Declining? (2026)
Fortnite is experiencing a decline in player engagement and hype since 2025, leading to significant layoffs at Epic Games. Despite still having over a million daily players, the company is cutting costs due to spending more than it earns. Epic plans to focus on building new Fortnite experiences and advancing its Unreal Engine technology.
Former Halo Studios employees accuse studio of harrassment and retaliation
Former Halo Studios employees, including art director Glenn Israel, have accused the studio and Microsoft of covering up harassment, bullying, and retaliation. Israel detailed incidents from January 2025 to August and alleged that Microsoft uses layoffs to mask retaliatory acts. Other former employees have corroborated these claims, while Microsoft stated they take all claims seriously.
