Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor begins bringing furloughed staff back
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun rehiring staff that were previously furloughed. CEO Greg Foertsch stated that the studio is bringing "more of our team back to work," though the exact number of returning employees is unconfirmed. Sources indicate that over half of the pre-furlough team is now back on the payroll.
Star Wars: Zero Company studio is bringing "as many people back as possible" after furloughing "most" of its developers
Star Wars: Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun bringing back employees who were furloughed ahead of the game's launch. Studio CEO Greg Foertsch stated that navigating unexpected business developments necessitated the difficult decision to furlough most of the staff, but the company is now working to rehire as many as possible. The game has been a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies.
What’s Next For Halo Under Activision? Probably Not The Endless
Halo is transitioning to Activision's management, with a new team taking over development while 343 Industries is significantly downsized. The article reveals details about the alien faction known as the Endless, which may not feature in future Halo titles under Activision. This shift occurs as Microsoft emphasizes major franchises amidst widespread layoffs and studio divestitures.
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor brings back 'over half' of furloughed staff
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun rehiring over half of the employees it previously furloughed. CEO Greg Foertsch stated this is an important step forward for the studio and the game's continued support. The article notes that while many employees are returning, a significant number remain furloughed, and discusses the nuances of labor regulations regarding furloughs versus layoffs.
State of Decay 3 Layoffs Wil Cause Major Changes
Undead Labs, now an independent studio after leaving Xbox, has undergone layoffs impacting the development of State of Decay 3. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game's overall scope remains, adjustments are necessary due to the workforce reduction. The title is currently in alpha, expected in 2027, and will launch on Game Pass.
The Next Gears Of War Game Probably Won’t Need 7 Years To Cook
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated that the development of the next Gears of War game, following Gears of War: E-Day, will not take as long as the seven-year gap after Gears 5. He emphasized focusing on shipping a great game and showcasing Xbox hardware capabilities, while acknowledging concerns about recent Xbox layoffs.
Gears of War: E-Day Studio Boss Insists 'The Next Game Will Not Take Nearly as Long' to Make, Responds to Layoff Concern
The head of The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, has addressed concerns about potential layoffs and assured that the next game will not take as long to develop. This comes amid ongoing workforce reductions at Xbox.
Former Halo art director claps back at founding Xbox member for implying 343 Industries had a "laziness"…
Former Halo art director Glenn Israel responded to claims made by founding Xbox member Laura Fryer, who described Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) as a "ghost town" during the development of Gears of War 2. Israel refuted Fryer's recollection, stating that while the studio had "systemic issues," it was not "rife with laziness" and that Fryer's timeline and observations were inaccurate.
Undead Labs speaks about its split from Xbox, revealing it has to "make some changes" to State of Decay 3 following layoffs
Undead Labs has revealed that it must make changes to State of Decay 3 following significant layoffs after regaining independence from Xbox. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game is in alpha, the departure of colleagues necessitates adjustments, though not a dramatic scope reduction. The studio is now focused solely on creating the best possible game for its audience.
Alleged footage of Xbox's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot shows a parkour-heavy chase scene and the summary execution of fruit
Alleged footage of Microsoft's cancelled Perfect Dark reboot has surfaced, showcasing chase sequences and shooting mechanics. The game, developed by The Initiative, was cancelled as part of mass layoffs at Microsoft, with attempts to revive it by Take-Two Interactive reportedly falling through. Several other studios, including Crystal Dynamics, Double Fine, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Arkane Studios, were also affected by these layoffs.
"After an all-time low, we've started to return to growth" - Asha Sharma touts Xbox turnaround after drastic restructuring and many hundreds of layoffs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that the company is experiencing a return to growth after significant restructuring and over 1,800 layoffs. Recent game releases like Gears of War: E-Day and Minecraft Dungeons 2 have performed strongly, contributing to this turnaround. Sharma also discussed plans for next-generation consoles and a continued focus on handheld gaming.
State of Decay 3 Studio Head Says He Was “Irresponsibly Transparent” With Team During Xbox Layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt described his
Supermassive Games co-developed a game based on The Conjuring
Netflix has released a new trailer for The Conjuring: Unspoken, an interactive horror game launching on October 13, co-developed by Supermassive Games and WB Entertainment. The game features paranormal investigations and is set to launch exclusively on the Netflix streaming platform. Supermassive Games recently announced layoffs.
Until Dawn Developer Announces Massive Layoffs
Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn and The Quarry, has conducted massive layoffs, releasing over 70 employees across various departments. This follows a previous wave of downsizing in February 2024 and a consultation that put over 75 employees at risk. The company's parent, Nordisk Games, has not commented, but the restructuring is likely due to rising production costs and industry shifts.
Xbox Was At An “All Time Low,” But Is Now Growing Again After Huge Cuts, CEO Says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is experiencing renewed growth after significant layoffs and studio closures, calling it a "return to growth" after an "all time low." She also discussed future hardware plans, including a "family of devices" for the next generation, and confirmed that Xbox is not for sale despite recent restructuring efforts.
Unlead Labs studio head says they were 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt stated that the studio was 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs following its divestiture from Xbox Game Studios. While the exact number of job losses was not confirmed, Holt emphasized that employees were informed about the likelihood of job cuts, which he believes was a courtesy despite the painful nature of the event. The studio is still working on State of Decay 3, with a projected 2027 release.
Warhorse co-founder believes 'AI is not a get out of jail free card' and that execs have a 'simplified mental model' of what it means for games
Warhorse Studios co-founder Martin Klima believes that executives have an oversimplified view of artificial intelligence's role in game development, stating it's not a cost-saving solution. He argues that AI will augment human developers to create larger games rather than replace them, driven by player demand for more content.
Some staff at Eternal Strands and ex-Ubisoft devs Yellow Brick Games report they've been laid off
Yellow Brick Games, the studio behind Eternal Strands, has reportedly laid off an undisclosed number of staff. The studio was co-founded by Mike Laidlaw and former Ubisoft developers. This news follows a wave of layoffs across the games industry, including at Ninja Theory, Supermassive Games, and Microsoft-owned studios.
Warner Bros. Games Now Belongs To Skydance, But Company Makes No Mention Of That In Big Announcement
Skydance has officially completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal valued at $111 billion. Notably, the company's announcement of the deal closing made no mention of its significant video game properties, despite CEO David Ellison stating he is a gamer. The acquisition is expected to lead to significant layoffs and restructuring within the company.
Ninja Theory’s Future Uncertain as Xbox Consultation Continues
Ninja Theory is undergoing significant layoffs and restructuring as Xbox consultation continues, with the studio's closure not yet confirmed. Two potential sale agreements for the Hellblade studio fell through, leading to redundancy processes for employees. This situation is part of a wider Xbox studio reshuffle that has already included substantial job cuts across the company.