Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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"It was a pretty harrowing three months" – Undead Labs head Philip Holt on what happened after Xbox cut the studio loose
Undead Labs CEO Philip Holt details the challenging three months following Xbox's divestment of the studio, which led to significant layoffs and a pivot to employee ownership. Despite the turmoil, the studio secured publishing funding for State of Decay 3, which is now employee-owned and aims for a 2027 release, focusing on player entertainment over investor demands.
Xbox Veteran Who Just Got Promoted Under Asha Sharma Promptly Leaves Amid Mysterious Circumstances
Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang, has departed the company shortly after her promotion under CEO Asha Sharma. While the exact reasons remain unclear, sources suggest termination for policy violations. Chiang had a 20-year tenure at Microsoft, playing a role in Xbox Live and Mojang. Her exit follows a period of poor performance for Xbox hardware and services.
Microsoft extends deadline to "explore options" for Dishonored studio Arkane's future as the team…
Microsoft has extended the deadline for discussions regarding the future of Arkane Studios, the developer behind Dishonored and Marvel's Blade. French labor laws require Microsoft to explore alternatives to layoffs for studios with over 1,000 employees, leading to negotiations about potential partnerships or sales.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for BioWare
Electronic Arts has officially shut down the legendary studio BioWare, laying off 400 employees in the process. This move has been met with significant criticism, highlighting concerns about venture capital and corporate practices in the gaming industry. Several other MMOs and studios also saw news this week, including updates on MapleStory Classic World, Chronicles of Elyria, and the closure of Zenith.
Ghost of Yōtei Developer Sucker Punch Lays Off 26 Employees – Rumor
Sucker Punch Productions has reportedly laid off 26 employees following the launch of its Ghost of Yōtei expansion, Echoes of Sekigahara. An alleged internal email cited market challenges and future project needs as reasons for the reductions. Despite Ghost of Yōtei's strong sales, the studio is not providing the same long-term support as its predecessor, and its next project remains unannounced.
Astroneer studio System Era Softworks lays off over 30 devs after Starseeker’s early access underperforms
System Era Softworks, the developer of Astroneer and Starseeker: Starseeker Chronicles, has laid off over 30 employees due to Starseeker's underperformance at its early access launch. The studio expressed deep regret for the affected developers, stating that the decision was necessary to make a sustainable push towards the game's 1.0 release.
'This is the bit where the comet hits the earth and the dinosaurs die:' Tim Sweeney revisits scathing 26-year-old eulogy for beloved studio Looking Glass
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney's 2000 statement on the closure of Looking Glass Studios, which described the event as an 'economically realistic day' and criticized the studio's overhead and niche appeal, has resurfaced. While Sweeney stands by his assessment that game businesses must be profitable, industry figures have criticized his 'asshole CEO' mindset, highlighting the artistic impact of studios like Looking Glass and the often illogical reasons behind modern studio shutdowns and layoffs.
Arkane Lyon Has “Multiple Paths Actively Being Explored” to Stay Afloat – Rumor
A report suggests Arkane Lyon is exploring multiple options to avoid closure, with "positive news" indicating a low likelihood of the studio being shut down by Xbox. This comes amid industry-wide layoffs and high costs associated with closing studios in France, particularly concerning the development of Marvel's Blade.
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
Award-winning sci-fi author NK Jemisin joins BioWare's mourners and scorns a broken industry for killing geese that…
Award-winning author NK Jemisin expressed sadness over the decline of BioWare, citing the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series as inspirations. She also criticized the current state of the game industry, particularly the trend of large-scale layoffs that impact developers while executives remain largely unaffected.
Xbox's first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft just three months into the job
Helen Chiang, Xbox's first chief operating officer, has departed Microsoft just three months after assuming the role. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the news in an internal memo, citing Chiang's 21 years of service but offering no specific reason for her departure. This move comes amidst a significant restructuring within Xbox that included layoffs and studios becoming independent.
Xbox COO and ex-Minecraft boss leaves Microsoft after just 3 months in the role
Helen Chiang, former head of Minecraft and the first COO of Xbox, has departed Microsoft after 21 years. Her exit follows significant layoffs within the Xbox division as part of a broader restructuring plan. Responsibilities for her role will be distributed among other Xbox leaders.
Why private equity acquisitions like the one that just claimed BioWare are so dreaded
The closure of BioWare and subsequent layoffs at Electronic Arts highlight the detrimental impact of private equity acquisitions on game studios. This article details how leveraged buyouts, often involving significant debt and aggressive profit extraction strategies, can lead to the demise of companies and widespread job losses, even when the acquired entities have strong intellectual property.
Time could be running out for Arkane
Arkane Lyon is reportedly facing potential closure by Microsoft by November 13, following a month-long extension to find a buyer. This comes after Xbox laid off thousands of employees and shut down Ninja Theory. While Microsoft states the closure documents are part of a required consultation process, the studio's future remains uncertain as it continues development on Marvel's Blade.
As devastating Xbox "reset" continues, Dishonored studio Arkane Lyon reportedly only has until November to find a new buyer before it's closed
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly facing closure by November if a buyer is not found, following significant layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft acquired ZeniMax, which owned Arkane, in 2021. The studio's current project, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly still in development but its future is uncertain amidst these potential closures.
Marvel's Blade 'nearing the end' of production as Arkane faces closure
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces potential closure by November 13, 2026, if a buyer is not found, as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs. The studio's upcoming game, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly nearing the end of its production phase, leading to concerns about the financial and artistic waste if the studio is shut down.
"What if Larian had shut down after Divine Divinity?": Star Trek Online exec scorns publishers who close teams like BioWare in favour of "AAA veteran" start-ups and AI "magic beans"
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone criticizes the industry practice of shutting down established development teams in favor of new studios led by "AAA veterans" or relying on emerging technologies like AI. He argues this approach is irresponsible and self-sabotaging, highlighting that successful studios like Larian and Blizzard often achieve breakthroughs after multiple titles and years of team collaboration. Marrone suggests that publishers prioritizing short-term financial gains should exit game development entirely.
Flashy internal trailer for now-cancelled Mass Effect Universe appears online, following EA's closure of BioWare
An internal trailer for the cancelled Mass Effect Universe game, which was in development at BioWare before its closure, has surfaced online. The trailer showcases a new protagonist, crew, combat, and a brief appearance by Liara, offering a glimpse into what could have been. The cancellation and subsequent layoffs at EA, impacting BioWare and other studios like Respawn, have led to widespread disappointment and anger within the industry and among fans.
BioWare veteran goes to bat for Dragon Age The Veilguard's dev team, says most of them "had little or no say…
Former BioWare director James Ohlen has defended the development team behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, stating that most had little input on the game's controversial elements. He also addressed criticism of modern entertainment and political messaging, emphasizing the complexity of individuals and the importance of respecting differing views.
An internal Mass Effect 5 trailer has reportedly leaked, offering you a glimpse at the sequel you'll never get to play
An internal trailer for the unreleased Mass Effect 5 has reportedly leaked, offering a glimpse into the game's pre-production assets and potential narrative direction, including the return of Liara T'Soni. This leak follows the announcement of BioWare's shutdown and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game, alongside significant layoffs affecting The Sims, Skate, and Battlefield development teams.
