Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Ubisoft Cuts 70 Staff From Skull and Bones Dev, Shuts Down Trials Studio RedLynx
Ubisoft has undergone further staff reductions, with 70 employees laid off from the Skull and Bones development team. Additionally, the company has shut down RedLynx, the studio known for the Trials series, as part of ongoing restructuring.
Trials Studio Facing Closure, Ubisoft Singapore to Get Hit by Layoffs Impacting 70 Employees – Rumor
Ubisoft is reportedly planning to close its Finland-based studio RedLynx, known for the Trials franchise, resulting in 52 job cuts. Additionally, Ubisoft Singapore will undergo layoffs impacting 70 employees as part of a larger restructuring effort. These decisions come as Ubisoft aims to streamline operations and manage its workforce effectively.
Hundreds of layoffs and many cancelled projects later, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly says 'we will not…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly stated the company's commitment to creating new intellectual property and backing its strongest franchises. This comes amidst significant layoffs, studio reorganizations, and project cancellations, leading to confusion and criticism regarding Xbox's actual strategy.
Gears of War: E-Day’s Reported Sales Raise Some Serious Questions
Despite critical acclaim and leveraging Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day's reported sales figures, particularly on PC and Xbox consoles, have raised concerns about its financial performance. The article suggests that Xbox's strategy, heavily reliant on Game Pass, may be hindering the profitability of its first-party exclusives, potentially impacting studio futures and leading to layoffs.
Invincible VS is Adding Agent Spider to its Roster This Winter
Developer Quarter Up and publisher Skybound Games announced Agent Spider will join the fighting game Invincible VS this winter as part of the year one Character Pass. The addition comes amidst significant layoffs at Quarter Up, with reports indicating a large portion of the team was cut following the game's release in May. Despite these issues, the game received a positive review score of 8/10.
The studio behind Star Wars Zero Company is hiring back some of its furloughed staff
Developer Bit Reactor, the studio behind Star Wars Zero Company, has begun rehiring some of the staff it furloughed earlier this year due to sales uncertainty. The company had previously furloughed over 80% of its employees, but has now increased its payroll to over half of its pre-furlough levels. Despite initial launch issues, the game received positive reviews and performed well on Steam.
Undead Labs boss "reluctant to share" number affected by layoffs: "I would hate to reduce the impact to those individuals to a number or statistic"
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt expressed reluctance to share the exact number of employees affected by recent layoffs, emphasizing the human impact over statistics. The developer transitioned to an employee-owned studio following restructuring at Xbox, with Holt aiming for transparency during the difficult process. This move was part of broader Xbox layoffs impacting multiple studios.
Avalanche Studio Group to globally publish, market, and distribute titles from Supermassive Games
Nordisk Games has announced a publishing agreement where its subsidiary Avalanche Studios Group will globally publish, market, and distribute titles from Supermassive Games, starting with Directive 8020. Both studios will maintain creative independence while sharing operational support. This move aims to ensure sustainable long-term success by leveraging Avalanche's publishing strength and Supermassive's storytelling expertise.
Gravity Well Hit by Layoffs Affecting Over 40 Employees, Leadership Says “Future is Uncertain”
Independent studio Gravity Well, founded by former Respawn Entertainment and Infinity Ward employees, has laid off over 40 workers due to a loss of funding. The studio's leadership is actively seeking a new partner but acknowledges the future is uncertain given the current state of the gaming industry. The company was founded with a focus on developer well-being and profit-sharing.
Xbox CEO unveils 'new Xbox division' for game-adjacent ventures named 'XP'
Xbox has launched a new division named XP, which will manage non-gaming ventures such as film and TV production, live events, and product creation. The division, led by Mojang's Kayleen Walters, aims to expand the Xbox brand's reach through transmedia projects like the upcoming Minecraft movie sequel and physical events like Blizzcon. This announcement comes amidst recent layoffs and a strategic "reset" initiative within the Xbox division.
As it lays off developers and closes studios, Xbox gets into the movie business
Xbox has launched a new division called Xbox XP, focusing on film, television, merchandise, partnerships, and live experiences, headed by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters. This move comes as Xbox is undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, drawing criticism for prioritizing expensive new ventures over game development staff.
Xbox aim to wring more cash out of the games they've not cast into oblivion by launching new licensing arm and handing Minecraft to ex-Meta monetisation lead
Xbox is launching a new licensing division, Xbox Products (XP), to generate more revenue from its major game franchises through film, TV, merchandise, and events. This initiative comes as Xbox undergoes significant layoffs, with a total of 3200 employees being let go. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta, as its new CEO, bringing extensive experience in product and monetization but no direct gaming industry background.
Gears Of War: E-Day is getting a sequel and it won’t take as long says Xbox
Xbox studio The Coalition is reportedly planning a sequel to Gears Of War: E-Day, with studio head Mike Crump stating it "will not take nearly as long" as previous entries. Despite the positive outlook for the franchise, the article highlights ongoing layoffs at Xbox and the recent dismissal of Gears Of War story director Juan Vaca, raising concerns about job security within the studio.
Star Wars Zero Company studio start to bring back devs furloughed prior to launch, with "more than half" of previous headcount reportedly returning to payroll
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor is rehiring some of the staff it furloughed before the game's launch, with over half of its previous headcount reportedly returning to payroll. Studio boss Greg Foertsch stated the difficult decision was necessary to bring back as many people as possible, expressing pride in the team's accomplishments and thanking fans for their support.
Gears of War boss says the next game won't take seven years to make as he dances around the question of layoffs
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump addressed concerns about potential layoffs following the release of Gears of War: E-Day, stating the focus is on shipping great games. While E-Day has been well-received, the studio's future and investment from Xbox remain uncertain, especially given its console exclusivity. Crump promised the next Gears of War title will not take as long to develop as E-Day did.
State of Decay 3 Team is “Pretty Close to Finishing” Development, Says Studio Boss
Undead Labs studio boss Philip Holt stated that State of Decay 3 is nearing completion, with development picking up significantly in 2022-2023. He addressed changes made due to recent layoffs, assuring that scope is not dramatically impacted. Holt also discussed the studio's decision to accelerate full production due to concerns about Microsoft's acquisition strategy.
Star Wars Zero Company Studio Brings Back Furloughed Staff
Bit Reactor has begun rehiring employees who were previously furloughed, according to CEO Greg Foertsch. The studio attributes its current stability and ability to bring staff back to the success of Star Wars Outlaws, which has been described as more than just a 'Star Wars skin' on an XCOM-like formula.
Bit Reactor CEO Welcomes Return of Some Furloughed Staff for 'Continued Support' of Star Wars Zero Company
Bit Reactor, the developer of Star Wars Zero Company, has begun bringing back some employees who were furloughed before the game's launch. Approximately 80% of the staff had been furloughed.
Star Wars Zero Company Developer Bit Reactor Returns More of Their Team to Work
Bit Reactor, the developer of Star Wars Zero Company, has brought back previously laid-off employees to work. This move is seen as positive news for the industry and a celebration of the game's success.
Gravity Well lays off more than 40 developers after losing its funding
Independent studio Gravity Well, founded by former Respawn Entertainment developers, has laid off over 40 employees after losing its funding. The studio's leadership is actively seeking new investment to continue operations, but acknowledges the future is uncertain due to the current industry climate. The remaining small team will continue to work on the studio's projects.
