Hopes for a new Deus Ex have been dashed, with the Embracer Group owned Eidos-Montréal confirming that they've cut 97 people go as the mass-layoffs continue. This is just another in a long list of developers and publishers cutting staff and cancelling projects, all while the Embracer Group try to reduce their costs. It's also another in a long list of just industry-wide layoffs lately.
Confirming the staff news on X in an image post below:
Image Credit: Eidos-Montréal
Here's the text if you have trouble reading the image:
For the last 17 years, our teams at Eidos have worked on some of the most beloved brands in the industry, combining deep storytelling and innovation into unique games. We have created memorable multi awarded experiences that we are proud of and we know our teams members have put their heart and soul in all of them.
The global economic context, the challenges of our industry and the comprehensive restructuring announced by Embracer have finally impacted our studio. The difficult decision has been made to let go 97 people from development teams, administration, and support services.
We are working to support all impacted personnel through this transition. These very talented, highly experienced people are entering the employment market, and we want them to find their next projects and are helping to do so.
As we navigate these difficult times, the well-being of our team is our priority and the continuous commitment to creating games that players will be able to enjoy in the nearby future.
To our players... it's often times not just the games but the game makers as well that we all celebrate and admire. Our commitment is always to making the best games for our amazing fans and even with this restructuring change, we continue to fight on to deliver those awesome experiences for us to share together. Thank you for your continuing support and well wishes.
While they didn't say anything about a new Deus Ex game being canned, Bloomberg originally reported on it today that claims the new game was already two years into development.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Mountain Man Jan 29
Quoting: KoopacabrasPink slips being delivered like hot pancakes, meanwhile prices keep rising and rising, something doesn't add up 🤔🤔Economics don't really work that way. If companies could increase profits by simply lowering prices, then everybody would do it.
I mean, if they are selling less, maybe they could try lowering prices.
Quoting: wvstolzingAwful news.I can't like this comment but I definitely concur.
Too much money spent on marketing and rolling over to shareholders. Preaching certain ideologies and milking the gamer hard while completely ignoring all concerns and complaints, Just look at Starfield and Cities Skylines 2 as recent examples. Publisher messes up big time and rather than accept responsibly they just blame the customer and label them toxic haters ect.
To be honest I would welcome a big gaming crash in order to clean out the trash, Its just unfortunate that innocent hard working folks have to suffer as a consequence of extremely poor publisher decisions. I am amazed this has not happened sooner.
I think Microsoft's GAMEPASS is likely a key player and responsible for this mass studio culling of staff, However I still point the blame squarely at the publishers. When you keep biting the hand that feeds you then eventually negative consequences will arise.
If Games are priced fairly and released in good quality then sales will no doubt increase and gamers would be happy. No other industry would get away with this kind of behaviour so why do gamers put up with it?
gaboversta Jan 30
When Embracer was on a buying spree they didn't really have the resources to sustain all the studios they were buying but they had a very risky and stupid plan in mind, they wanted to make a $2 billion deal with a Saudi group which is where the real money was going to come from for them. They were only buying developers to make themselves look bigger and more valuable. Of course the deal didn't happen in the end and they were left in charge of a large group of game development studios and no money so it was time to save themselves, and they did it by doing the only thing CEOs know how to do when they make a mistake, make everybody else pay for it.
Of course nobody involved directly in this situation with any hope of still being able to work in the industry are going to mention it in any official statement every time hundreds of people get fired or entire studios owned by Embracer are shut down without warning.
Arehandoro Jan 30
Quoting: KimyrielleQuoting: KoopacabrasPink slips being delivered like hot pancakes, meanwhile prices keep rising and rising, something doesn't add up 🤔🤔
I mean, if they are selling less, maybe they could try lowering prices.
Games actually got (relatively) cheaper compared with what they used to cost 20 years ago, while the costs for making them have exploded over the same period. The problem is more the opposite of what you suggested - it's rock hard to deliver the quality people want for the price they're willing to pay.
Gaming devs also earn significantly less, on average, in the industry that their counterparts in other tech fields.
Quoting: g000hWith any luck, a bunch of indie studios will pop up releasing games built with passion and good game mechanics.
Ant then they will be gobbled up by one of the conglomerates.
For instance I haven't bought games like BG3 because I already have a few (10ish) games to play before that (which will likely take me a couple of years at my current rate).
I don't think I am the only one. Even if there are people with a backlog of thousands of games, most people will not buy a game if they don't have time to play it.
There are just too many "good" games published all the time. Therefore it is hard to stand out with your new game as a developer and get people to buy it.
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