Playtonic has addressed the recent layoffs at the studio with a lengthy statement.
Just days after news of layoffs at the Yooka-Laylee developer began to make rounds online, the company posted on social media confirming the cutbacks.
“This is one of those messages we never wanted to have to write,” the statement begins. “We’ve all seen in recent years how the games industry has been changing, resulting in studio after studio finding themselves in situations where to continue to exist, they must make painful decisions – decisions that impact the lives of so many individual talented developers.”
It continues to say that the studio has felt “the knock-on effects”, and though they attempted to try to avoid layoffs, they ultimately had to make the “incredibly heartbreaking decision” to let some staff members go.
There was no mention of how many people were let go in the round of layoffs. Insider Gaming has reached out to Playtonic for confirmation, but no response has been received.
You can read Playtonic’s full statement below. And be sure to let us know what you think of the layoffs down below, and in the official Insider Gaming forums.
Full Playtonic Layoffs Statement
A sad note from all of us at Playtonic
This is one of those messages we never wanted to have to write.
We’ve all seen in recent years how the games industry has been changing, resulting in studio after studio finding themselves in situations where to continue to exist, they must make painful decisions – decisions that impact the lives of so many individual talented developers. Like others, we’ve felt the knock-on effects and after exploring every possible avenue, we’ve had to make the incredibly heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to some truly brilliant members of the Playtonic team.
This isn’t a reflection of anyone’s talent or dedication, the people leaving have poured so much heart, creativity, and care into everything we do. They’ve helped shape our studio, our games, and our culture, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built together. This isn’t simply a difficult moment, it’s a period of profound change in how games are created and financed. The landscape is shifting, and with it, so must we.
Our thoughts are with those we’re parting ways with. Saying goodbye to such skilled, kind, and committed people is the hardest part of all. We will always consider you part of the Playtonic family, and we’ll do all we can to support your next steps.
If you’re reading this and you’re hiring, we can’t speak highly enough of our departing team members. You’d be lucky to have them.
To our industry friends who may be facing similar challenges, we send you our solidarity, strength, and hope for a brighter path forward. To everyone affected, thank you, truly.
With heartfelt thanks,
Playtonic Team
For more Insider Gaming, read about what a current developer at Respawn had to say about the state of the company. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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