Exoborne Developer Hit With Layoffs

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Exoborne Developer Hit With Layoffs

Key Takeaways

  • Sharkmob has let go of most of its staff from its London location following the cancelation of an unannounced triple-A title.
  • The development of Exoborne and the Malmo studio remain unaffected.
  • The live-service sci-fi extraction shooter Exoborne is still aiming for a 2025 release.

As a seasoned gaming enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I must say the recent turn of events at Sharkmob has left me both intrigued and concerned. Having witnessed the rise and fall of numerous studios over the years, I’ve come to understand that the industry can be as unpredictable as a game of chance.

Sharkmob, a subsidiary of Tencent handling the upcoming tactical shooter Exoborne, has let go most of its staff from their London office following the termination of an unannounced triple-A game. However, Tencent assures that the production of Exoborne and the studio in charge of it based in Malmo continue as planned.

In October 2024, it was disclosed that Sharkmob’s unnamed project was canceled. It left uncertainty about how this strategic change could impact the team’s workforce. Established in 2017 by industry veterans from Massive and IO Interactive, Sharkmob was later acquired by Tencent, a tech and gaming colossus, in 2019. The London branch of the studio was launched in 2020. Prior to this announcement, Sharkmob had already released ‘Bloodhunt’, a battle royale game set within the world of ‘Vampire: The Masquerade’.

According to PocketGamer’s report, Sharkmob, like many other studios, has faced challenges in the video game market and unfortunately needed to reduce its workforce at its London office. Tencent, which owns Sharkmob, stated that this decision was not a reflection of their commitment to the studio or their upcoming game, Exoborne. However, neither the specific number of employees affected nor the future of the UK studio has been clarified yet. Several former employees have shared on social media that most staff members have been let go, indicating a widespread trend of layoffs in the gaming industry.

Sharkmob Announces Layoffs as Industry Contraction Continues

Due to approximately 23,000 job cuts happening between 2023 and September 2024, the gaming sector is in a turbulent phase. A surge of acquisitions by large corporations such as Microsoft, Sony, Embracer Group, and Tencent took place after a boom in gaming during the pandemic era. However, these market trends haven’t sustained the fast-paced growth and consolidation, causing numerous companies to make drastic decisions to protect their stock values. These actions include canceling games, closing studios, and reducing workforce across different departments. Some significant studio closures have included Arkane Austin, Riot Forge, Ready at Dawn, and Firewalk Studios.

Despite Sharkmob making adjustments to their release schedule and workforce, gamers can look forward to playing Exoborne by 2025. It’s unclear if the company plans to launch new projects or concentrate on enhancing and expanding Exoborne’s live service once it’s released. With the gaming industry being unpredictable and the possibility of studio acquisitions, it seems logical that Sharkmob would prioritize the success of its main title before venturing into other ventures.

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2024-11-08 19:24