Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
Latest coverage
Amid relentless layoffs at Xbox, Fable lead says "so many people" at the company see the RPG as "vital to the DNA of the platform," which "protected us over a long development cycle"
Despite significant layoffs at Xbox and the cancellation of other projects, the upcoming RPG Fable is considered vital to the platform's identity, which has protected its long development cycle. Director Ralph Fulton believes the game is important to video games as a whole, offering a unique combination of elements. Fable is set to release on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen refused to work for Xbox because it would be like 'walking past some stakes with human skulls on them' and pretending 'it's probably fine in this direction'
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen explains his decision to refuse an opportunity to work for an Xbox-funded studio due to Microsoft's history of studio closures, likening it to ignoring obvious danger. He discusses the challenges of AAA development for immersive sims and his preference for smaller, more focused indie projects.
Worker-run studio KO_OP confirms layoffs
Indie studio KO_OP, developer of Goodbye Volcano High and Young Suns, has laid off 13 employees due to a significant drought in game development funding. The worker-run studio made the decision democratically to ensure its survival, with profits from Young Suns still being shared with impacted members. KO_OP is focused on securing new funding to rehire staff and continue development.
MMO Week in Review: Foreverrrrr
BlizzCon 2026 saw major announcements including a new open-world StarCraft shooter, Diablo V for 2029, and World of Warcraft Forever launching soon. The event also revealed World of Warcraft's next retail expansion, The Last Titan, and sparked controversy over World of Warcraft Forever's monetization. Other news included the sunsetting of Ship of Heroes, layoffs at Pantheon Rise of the Fallen, and business dealings involving ArcheAge.
Fallout dev Tim Cain says the games industry's volatility is 'always gonna be around': 'What's happening now isn't novel, it isn't new'
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain discusses the inherent volatility and cyclical nature of the games industry, stating that current issues like layoffs and consolidation are not new phenomena. He attributes these cycles to the industry's intersection of art and rapidly changing technology, advising workers to develop broad skills or hyper-specialize to navigate these challenges.
BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony live report - all the news and announcements as Blizzard's convention returns
BlizzCon 2026 is set to return with its opening ceremony, promising announcements for Blizzard Entertainment's major franchises. Expected reveals include a new StarCraft shooter, a "Classic Plus" version of World of Warcraft, and updates for Diablo 4 and Overwatch. The convention also takes place against the backdrop of recent industry layoffs by owner Microsoft.
Pantheon Rise of the Fallen suffers layoffs as it promises to refine its development processes
Visionary Realms CEO Chris Rowan announced layoffs at the studio behind Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, admitting that recent sweeping updates to combat and character progression were unsuccessful. Robert Crane has been rehired as project manager to improve development processes, while leadership takes responsibility for the failures.
EA’s New Owners May Be Considering An Even Bigger Gaming Empire
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has become the majority shareholder of Electronic Arts and is reportedly considering merging it with Savvy Games Group, another PIF-owned entity. This potential consolidation, which could also involve Moonton, Scopely, and SNK, aims to improve coordination among the PIF's gaming assets. However, the move faces regulatory scrutiny due to the vast number of major franchises that would fall under one umbrella, and employees fear significant cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and studio closures, may be implemented.
European studio expenditure on external talent rises 63% in 2025
European game studios significantly increased spending on external talent by 63% in 2025, outpacing global growth. This rise in freelancer expenditure, coupled with a 24% increase in freelance collaborations, highlights a shift towards a two-tier team model. Studios face challenges in sourcing qualified specialists, while freelancers grapple with income stability and finding projects, with many concerned about AI's impact on job security and workload.
GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High dev KO_OP share that they are laying off staff in the only, remotely good statement I've seen in a while
Independent studio KO_OP, known for games like GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High, has announced layoffs affecting 13 staff members shortly after the release of their latest game, Young Suns. The studio cited a radical change in the games funding landscape and an inability to secure new project funding as the primary reasons. KO_OP emphasized a transparent, democratically decided process focused on studio survival rather than profit maximization, and expressed intent to rehire affected developers if future funding is secured.
'Ship a good game, learn from it, and build from there:' Lessons from going indie after a decade at id Software
Former id Software developers Tony Garza and Richard O'Neal discuss the lessons learned from leaving a major studio to found their own indie company, Turnkey Games. They emphasize realistic scope, bootstrapping, and focusing on core gameplay to overcome the challenges of independent development, especially in light of industry layoffs.
Saudi Arabia reportedly looking at merging Electronic Arts with Savvy Games Group
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly considering merging Electronic Arts with its other gaming subsidiary, Savvy Games Group. This potential merger, which would consolidate significant gaming assets under one umbrella, is said to be contingent on the PIF's acquisition of Moonton and would likely face regulatory scrutiny. The move could also lead to cost-saving measures, including layoffs at Electronic Arts, which recently incurred substantial debt from the PIF's acquisition.
Blizzard must now 'discuss, evaluate, and bargain' its AI usage with its developers
Blizzard Entertainment's union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has secured a new contract that requires the company to discuss and bargain over the implementation of generative AI in the workplace. This landmark agreement, impacting around 1900 workers, also includes wage increases, job protections, and enhanced severance for layoffs, offering a significant victory for labor rights in the gaming industry.
Fallout co-creator tells new devs terrified of layoffs they're "wrong" to expect making games to be a "stable job": "Art itself is inherently unstable"
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain asserts that the video game industry has never been stable and will not improve, advising new developers against expecting job security. He draws parallels to past industry crashes and technological shifts, highlighting current instability exacerbated by generative AI and the post-COVID-19 market.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by newly formed unions, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with parent company Microsoft. The contract, lasting four to five years, includes protections for generative AI use, crediting, remote work, and layoffs, establishing a 60-day notice period for job cuts and 14 months of recall rights. Meanwhile, Activision's subsidiary King has rejected a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish trade unions.
Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Contract That Could Set A New Standard For Game Developers
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a historic union contract with Microsoft. The agreement includes workplace flexibility, guaranteed wage increases, AI job automation guardrails, and job-recall rights for laid-off employees. This contract is seen as a potential blueprint for other video game industry unions.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers vote through a "historic" union contract securing protections against layoffs and gen-AI
Approximately 1,900 unionized workers at Blizzard Entertainment have ratified their first contract, securing protections against layoffs and mandating bargaining over the use of generative AI. This historic agreement provides enhanced severance and recall rights for employees across multiple game teams, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.
Unionised Blizzard workers vote through contract giving them a say on genAI adoption and protection against layoffs
Unionized Blizzard Entertainment workers have ratified a new contract that requires the company to negotiate with them over the use of generative AI tools and provides protections against layoffs. The contract covers approximately 1900 staff and includes provisions for recall rights for laid-off employees and additional severance pay. This development occurs amidst ongoing workforce reductions at Microsoft's gaming division.
"It's a new day at Blizzard": Union wins historic contract protecting 1,900 World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more workers as Microsoft plans another 1,600 layoffs
Blizzard Entertainment union members, represented by the CWA, have secured a new contract covering 1,900 workers across titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. The agreement includes strong protections against layoffs and mandates negotiation over the use of AI in game development. This comes as parent company Microsoft plans further layoffs across Xbox.
Star Stable developer suffers layoffs to ensure the MMO can ‘adapt, grow, and deliver memorable experiences’
Star Stable Entertainment, the developer of the equestrian MMORPG Star Stable, has undergone a restructuring that resulted in approximately 20% of its workforce being laid off. Interim CEO James Watkins stated the move is intended to reduce operating costs and refocus resources to ensure the game's future adaptability and growth. The article expresses concern over the industry's impact on even softer games and hopes for the affected employees.
