So, I just heard some pretty rough news – the team behind Metroid Dread, MercurySteam, is going through layoffs. They’re calling it a ‘workforce adjustment,’ which is never a good sign. I loved both Metroid Dread and Metroid: Samus Returns on the 3DS, and it’s a shame to see them having to make these kinds of cuts. They’re an independent studio, but they’ve done amazing work with big companies like Nintendo and Konami over the years, so hopefully, they bounce back quickly.
After the release of Metroid Dread, MercurySteam launched its original game, Blades of Fire, in 2025. It was available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, but not on Nintendo Switch. Published by 505 Games, Blades of Fire didn’t sell well, and Digital Bros., the publisher’s parent company, reported that this poor performance resulted in significant financial losses.
Layoffs at MercurySteam
MercurySteam, the studio behind Metroid Dread, recently announced layoffs. In a LinkedIn post, they explained that these kinds of cuts are unfortunately common in the video game industry between projects, and acknowledged how difficult it is for those impacted. While the company didn’t specify the number of layoffs, they stated they’re working to help affected employees find new jobs and provided an email address for recruiters interested in hiring them.
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Job cuts have become increasingly frequent in the video game industry recently, impacting companies large and small – even major players like Epic Games announced layoffs earlier this year. This is a worrying trend, and it’s unclear how it will ultimately affect the industry. With fewer people developing games, we can expect fewer releases, which is bad news for both those who make games and those who play them. This situation could also drive talented developers to seek work in other fields. Some experts are even warning that the video game industry might be facing a significant downturn.
While recent announcements sparked concern, it doesn’t appear MercurySteam is about to close down. They’ve indicated they simply need a smaller team right now, likely because their game, Blades of Fire, has just been released. Although their next project is unknown, rumors suggest they might be working on a remake of Super Metroid. Nintendo hasn’t confirmed this, but they clearly have confidence in MercurySteam after the success of two previous Metroid games. It’s possible the studio is continuing to work on the Metroid series in some capacity, but nothing is official at this time.
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It’s hoped that the recent layoffs at MercurySteam won’t impact too many people, and that those affected will find new jobs quickly. The studio’s 2021 game, Metroid Dread, was a strong contender for Game of the Year, demonstrating the skill of the team. While it’s disappointing to see so many layoffs happening in the gaming industry recently, unfortunately, this trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
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2026-05-13 00:05