Until Dawn Remake Studio Hit With Layoffs a Month Before the Game is Even Out

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Until Dawn Remake Studio Hit With Layoffs a Month Before the Game is Even Out

Key Takeaways

  • At least a dozen developers have been laid off at Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the upcoming Until Dawn remake.
  • Layoffs and studio shutdowns continue throughout the video game industry, with thousands of jobs lost since 2023.
  • Concerns have risen as employees are let go from Ballistic Moon just one month before Until Dawn’s release.

As a devoted follower of the gaming industry, it’s disheartening to see yet another studio grappling with layoffs just weeks before a much-anticipated release, such as the Until Dawn remake. It seems like every other week, we’re hearing about more job losses and studio closures in this ever-evolving landscape of ours.

In addition to the wave of job cuts in the industry, employees from the development team responsible for the 2024 reboot of the game “Until Dawn” have announced that they are seeking employment after being let go due to “redundancies.” Despite the scheduled launch of the remake on October 4, members from Ballistic Moon will not be present at the studio for the grand release.

2023 onwards, the video game industry has experienced a tumultuous period marked by frequent layoffs, budget reductions, and studio closures, affecting thousands of workers. Major companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Embracer Group have announced significant job cuts, impacting both AAA and indie developers. Amidst other recent closure announcements, it appears the team behind “Until Dawn” may also be at risk.

According to Eurogamer, several members from the Ballistic Moon team have suddenly expressed their availability for work after being let go from the studio. Although the exact number of Ballistic Moon employees who were laid off hasn’t been disclosed, many are taken aback by these unexpected announcements so close to the planned release of the remake of Until Dawn. The initial launch of the game received widespread acclaim for its immersive decision mechanics, chilling ambiance, stunning visuals, and multiple endings. With high anticipation for the upcoming remake, fans have been looking forward to it, but the news about Ballistic Moon’s staff layoffs has cast a shadow over their excitement.

Until Dawn Remake Developer Loses Over A Dozen Staff

As has been the case with other unexpected workforce restructurings, audiences have been baffled by staff being let go from a development team so close to a major launch. The recent closure of Visions of Mana developer Ouka Studios in the same week as the game’s release left many shocked, and fans now worry that the Until Dawn layoffs are continuing this pattern of employees being let go as soon as a game’s development is finished. While it is not entirely uncommon for staff to be hired on time-sensitive contracts that inevitably become redundant, the consistency with which these layoffs have occurred across dozens of companies may indicate larger problems plaguing the video game industry as a whole.

Analysts have been discussing if these extensive changes in workforces are truly essential or if alternative strategies could have addressed the challenges faced by both large and small businesses. Reggie Fils-Aime, former Nintendo leader, is hopeful about the gaming industry’s future, while some express concerns that recovery might still be out of reach. As the launch of Until Dawn approaches, fans are expressing condolences and encouragement towards the Ballistic Moon team.

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2024-09-02 20:53