In recent news, acclaimed developer People Can Fly, known for their work on Outriders and Bulletstorm, is facing significant staff reductions with more than 30 employees being laid off. The layoffs are due to changes in Project Gemini, an upcoming game developed in collaboration with Square Enix, which is expected to suffer reduced campaign length and a smaller roster of enemies following a budget cut. Despite the adversity, the Polish studio has other projects in the pipeline and remains active in the industry.
This event is part of a worrying trend in the video game sector, where high-profile layoffs have become increasingly common. Other notable studios, including Media Molecule, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft, have also felt the impact. The cuts at People Can Fly mirror the broader instability within the industry, which has seen massive layoffs at tech giants like Microsoft and across gaming studios of all sizes. The ongoing layoffs raise concerns over job security and the future of game development, as the creators behind some of the most popular franchises face an uncertain future.
What prompted the layoffs at People Can Fly?The layoffs at People Can Fly were reportedly a result of restructuring related to their upcoming game, Project Gemini, which has undergone significant changes due to budget cuts. This has led to downsizing and resource allocation shifts within the studio.
After its inception in 2002, People Can Fly made a name for itself with the release of the original Painkiller game. They later gained further recognition for their work on Bulletstorm and co-development efforts on the Gears of War series with Epic Games. Outriders, their most recent major release, while garnering mixed reviews, demonstrated the studio's expertise in creating compelling cooperative shooting experiences. These developments and titles have cemented the studio's reputation as a capable developer within the action and shooter game genres.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
Read more articles from Casey Loh
Comments
Seems like even established studios like People Can Fly aren't immune to industry shake-ups, highlighting the often volatile nature of game dev careers. Tough to see talent hit the bricks, but it's the darker side of the biz – hopefully, they bounce back quick with the other irons they've got in the fire.
Tough break for People Can Fly; it's a stark reminder that no studio's immune to the volatility of the gaming industry, even with a robust portfolio. Here's hoping the talent hit by the layoff land on their feet and that Project Gemini still manages to deliver on the smaller scale.
Tough break for People Can Fly—shows even the most adept studios aren't shielded from the gaming industry's economic rollercoaster. It's a stark reminder that creativity often hangs in the balance of financial stringency, adding to the already challenging nature of game development.