Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Marvel's Blade is not canceled, Arkane dev confirms after Summer Game Fest no-show and over 2 years of silence
Arkane Studios development lead Jean-Luc Monnet has offered reassurance that Marvel's Blade is not canceled, responding to fan concerns after its absence from Summer Game Fest. The cryptic "Let us cook" GIF suggests the team is quietly working on the game and needs more time to reveal its progress. This comes amidst industry-wide concerns about layoffs and studio closures, with Arkane Austin having closed in 2024.
Destiny 2's final update arrives today, and it's been an honor to serve the light
Destiny 2's final major update, Monument of Triumph, has arrived, marking the end of a decade-long run for Bungie's FPS game. The update includes new weapon tiers, subclass abilities, and quality-of-life improvements, alongside the return of the Director and Sparrow Racing League. Despite the game's conclusion and recent layoffs at Bungie, players are returning in large numbers to celebrate the game's legacy.
Merge Mansion dev Metacore lays off 159 employees, closes studios in Germany and Sweden
Mobile game studio Metacore has laid off 159 employees in Finland and closed its studios in Germany and Sweden as part of a restructuring effort. CEO Mika Tammenkoski cited that the game Merge Mansion has plateaued and recent investments have not yielded new launches. Supercell is acquiring Metacore and will add Merge Mansion to its portfolio.
PUBG Creator’s New Survival Game Has Stopped Development Less Than A Year After Launch
PlayerUnknown Productions has ceased development on its survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback, less than a year after its early access launch. Founder Brendan Greene cited financial limitations as the reason for restructuring the studio, which will continue to develop its Melba technology. The game will be made free to all players, with refunds being issued for past purchases.
PlayerUnknown Productions announces layoffs, halts further development of Go Wayback
PlayerUnknown Productions has announced layoffs and halted further development of its game Go Wayback. Founder Brendan Greene stated that the studio can no longer fund Go Wayback in its current form and will restructure to focus on its Melba technology.
Team17 confirms new layoffs following internal restructuring
Publisher Team17 has confirmed layoffs impacting its marketing and communications departments following an internal restructuring. This follows a larger restructuring effort in 2023 and highlights ongoing challenges within the video game industry.
Team17 has laid off members of its marketing and communications department
Team17 has conducted layoffs within its marketing and communications department, impacting at least the entire internal PR team. A spokesperson confirmed that roles were eliminated following a business operations review, but stated the company's commitment to supporting its games and partners remains unchanged.
Prologue: Go Wayback development halted amid layoffs
PlayerUnknown Productions has halted development on its survival game Prologue: Go Wayback and undergone a company restructuring that includes layoffs. Studio founder Brendan Greene cited personal funding limits as the reason for the changes. The studio will continue developing its proprietary Melba terrain-generation technology with a smaller team.
Marathon dropped its massive Season 2 update, and nobody was able to play it
Marathon's highly anticipated Season 2 update was marred by widespread server issues, including Anteater, Monkey, and Weasel error codes, preventing players from accessing the game for five hours. Bungie apologized for the disruption and promised in-game compensation to affected players. This launch issue comes at a difficult time for Bungie, which is also ending support for Destiny 2 and facing expected layoffs.
3 years after a $2 billion implosion, studio closures, and cancellations, Embracer's new CEO hopes 'trust is…
Embracer Group CEO Phil Rogers expressed hope for improving trust in the company despite a period of significant restructuring, studio closures, and cancellations. The company has undergone multiple reorganizations and asset sales, including the sale of Gearbox and the closure of Arc Games and Cryptic Studios. Rogers acknowledged the industry's challenges and stated that Embracer is focused on resetting and improving its position, with potential for future mergers and acquisitions guided by past learnings.
After a $2 billion mess that saw thousands of layoffs with many studios and games shut down, new Embracer CEO hopes…
New Embracer Group CEO Phil Rogers aims to restore the company's reputation following a period of significant layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations after a major acquisition deal fell through. Rogers emphasized that future mergers and acquisitions will be funded through organic cash flow, and the company is reflecting on past decisions and industry changes. He hopes to rebuild trust with gamers by delivering enjoyable titles and focusing on key intellectual properties.
Star Wars Eclipse is in “Development Hell,” Quantic Dream Want to Exit NetEase – Rumor
Rumors suggest that Quantic Dream's Star Wars Eclipse is in "development hell" and the studio wishes to divest from NetEase. The project has reportedly faced significant issues, compounded by the shutdown of their previous game, Spellcasters Chronicles. Quantic Dream is also undergoing an internal reorganization that may lead to layoffs.
Tim Sweeney takes swipes at Valve for Steam Deck price hike, blames it on the 'component parts supply chain for…
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Valve's recent price increase for the Steam Deck, attributing it to supply chain issues for components. Sweeney sarcastically linked the price hike to Valve's alleged funding of Gabe Newell's superyacht, while also contrasting Valve's lack of layoffs with Epic Games' recent workforce reductions. Despite a nearly 50% price increase, Steam Deck models quickly sold out in North America.
XBOX CEO Tells Employees There Will be “Hard Decisions” in Internal Memo – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has informed employees via an internal memo about upcoming "hard choices" and strategic shifts necessary to rebuild the brand. The memo touches on potential layoffs, the need for a better value proposition for Game Pass, and considerations for future console pricing and availability, while also noting a rebranding from Xbox to XBOX.
AI Yi-Yi!
Anthropic has reportedly surpassed OpenAI in both revenue and valuation, indicating significant growth in the AI sector. Meanwhile, Wix is laying off approximately 20% of its workforce, with its CEO citing AI as a factor in the decision. Apple is also expected to unveil an overhaul of its Siri virtual assistant for iOS 27.
Epic devs discuss the shock of mass layoffs: 'We only had a slight hint that the company revenue wasn't doing…
Epic Games recently conducted significant layoffs, impacting around 1,000 developers, a move that surprised many employees despite some hints of revenue challenges. The article highlights the diverse talent affected and the subsequent job search efforts by former employees, while also touching on the company's communication and restructuring strategies.
Destiny 2 Closing is Real, and it’s More Painful Than I Thought — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Bungie has announced the end of Destiny 2's live service, with the final update scheduled for June 9, 2026. This decision follows significant revenue shortfalls, particularly after the poorly received Lightfall expansion, and a major wave of layoffs. The article discusses the mismanagement and ambitious decisions that led to this point, the impact on the community, and the uncertain future for Bungie's other title, Marathon, without Destiny 2's financial support.
AI Yi-Yi!
A survey indicates that 99% of CEOs anticipate AI-driven layoffs, with companies actively replacing junior roles with AI. This trend persists despite executive uncertainty regarding the return on AI investments.
Another Report States Bungie Has Nothing Else In Development, But Marathon Will Be Allowed To “Find Its Legs”
A report indicates Bungie is shifting its development focus from Destiny 2 to Marathon, with layoffs planned but not immediate. Destiny 3 is not in development due to Sony's concerns over funding, and no other projects have been greenlit. The success of Marathon is now critical for Bungie's future.
Take-Two CEO balances AI optimism against industry layoffs and lies, GTA6 holds to November release
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed optimism about AI in game development, emphasizing it as a tool to enable human creativity rather than a replacement. He also criticized companies that attributed recent layoffs to AI, stating they were instead due to overhiring during the pandemic. The article confirms Grand Theft Auto VI is still on track for its November 19th release.