#Playtonic newest studio to see redunancies – Destructoid
UK-based studio Playtonic, recognized for the Yooka-Laylee collection, is the newest studio to see layoffs within the trade following mass social media posts from now-former workers.
A few of those that have misplaced their jobs have been shared on LinkedIn by a Playtonic worker, itemizing a number of individuals from varied components of the corporate, together with manufacturing, artwork, VFX, and junior positions. Extra layoffs is perhaps revealed over time, however it stresses the turbulent occasions in our trade at present, with job losses sadly turning into the norm throughout massive and indie studios alike.
Playtonic Video games was initially based in 2014 by earlier Uncommon devs who created Yooka-Laylee as a religious successor to the Banjo-Kazooie collection. Since then, the studio has primarily gone into publishing beneath Playtonic Mates and has been seeking to launch a remake of their first sport, known as Yooka-Replayee, someday in 2025.
Playtonic Mates has additionally printed many charming video games these previous years, together with Lil Gator Recreation, and was lining up a launch for Citadel Pixel’s Cattle Nation someday this 12 months. It’s unclear how these layoffs will have an effect on Playtonic in making video games and publishing presently, or if there are extra to return.
It’s a reasonably dire time for the trade, with Playtonic Video games only one in an extended line of studios saying layoffs, sport cancellations, and extra dire information. Extra lately, EA additionally introduced a big layoff spherical that affected ‘a whole lot’ of workers and noticed a number of sport cancellations, together with a rumored Titanfall venture.
Microsoft additionally reportedly opted for a layoff of three p.c of its workforce this Could, representing its largest spherical of cuts since 2023. It’s unclear if this layoff will have an effect on its gaming division or different components of the corporate as an entire.
It’s a reasonably dire time, Destructoid. Motivation and willpower are at an all-time low throughout the trade, and nobody seems secure. However let’s attempt to hold some positivity and assist one another as finest we will—it’s the least we will do.
