Embracer Group has as soon as once more performed a spherical of layoffs, with Duke Nukem creator 3D Realms and Ghostrunner co-developer Slipgate Ironworks being hit, per posts on social media by former staff.
Staff at each studios took to X/Twitter to disclose that that they had been laid off from their jobs, together with Michael Markie, a lead composer at each studios, and Patrick Hewitt, a 3D artist. Scott Miller, the founding father of 3D Realms, stated in a put up that he had “a number of sources” inform him that layoffs had been taking place, notably on the 3D Realms headquarters in Denmark.
“This one hits me exhausting as a result of I labored with the brand new 3DR from 2014 up till once they had been purchased out by Embracer 2.5 yrs in the past,” Miller wrote.
It is at present unclear how many individuals had been affected, however Miller wrote that he heard “half the corporate” had been laid off.
A number of sources have instructed me this dangerous information… Sorry to listen to about one other drop of the axe by Embracer Group, this time touchdown on Danish 3D Realms. Lots of people, together with core devs, can be searching for work asap. Hopefully they land jobs quickly. This one hits me exhausting as a result of I…
— Scott Miller – Apogee/3DR Founder☢️ (@ScottApogee) December 14, 2023
Sadly with a heavy coronary heart I need to say I’ve additionally been affected by the layoffs@ SlipgateIronworks & 3DR
Presently searching for Fulltime work throughout the 3D gamedev house
My abilities are Hardsurface prop and automobile artwork having labored on Tempest Rising prev
?Please RT and attain out! <3 pic.twitter.com/YDC85qubsG
— Pat-a-wan | 3D Artist In search of work. (@Pat_a_wan) December 15, 2023
Final night time I used to be laid off from 3DRealms/SlipgateIronworks and now I need to undertake the journey of searching for new alternatives
if anybody is searching for a programmer that may do Graphics/AI/Porting/Engine stuff (and non-Unreal tasks) please hit me up
— ziyad barakat (@ziacko1) December 14, 2023
Whats up!Earlier right this moment i used to be laid off from 3DRealms/Slipgate, and am now searching for work!
I have been a Texture Artist (photoreal/stylized) for a few years in a large number of tasks, and have some expertise within the UI/UX division as properly.
?Please RT and attain out!
— ?????. (@mdominguezppf) December 15, 2023
For Christmas this 12 months, I bought laid off! ?
If anybody is searching for a degree designer or audio please hit me up!
— Markie (@markiemusicpro) December 14, 2023
In a press release despatched to IGN, an Embracer Group spokesperson stated the corporate does “not touch upon rumors or hypothesis” when requested concerning the current layoffs at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks. They added that they are within the midst of a “complete restructuring program” which may embody “the closing of studios and termination of tasks.” You’ll be able to learn the total assertion under.
Concerning your query, we don’t touch upon rumors or hypothesis.
On your info, on the thirteenth of June, Embracer introduced a complete restructuring program for FY 23/24, operating till finish of March 2024. This system features a sequence of initiatives that can deal with value financial savings, capital allocation and operational and monetary effectivity measures. A part of these initiatives may very well be the closing of studios and termination of tasks. Every course of can be managed regionally on operative group degree with deal with informing affected staff first, and on group degree we is not going to touch upon particular studios.
Embracer will replace the market on restructuring program progress frequently, in reference to quarterly experiences or in any other case as required by relevant laws. Our subsequent quarterly report can be revealed on the fifteenth of February.
– An Embracer Group spokesperson
The studio was based in 1987 by Miller as Apogee Software program earlier than being renamed just a few years later. It is best identified for creating the Duke Nukem sequence. The studio was acquired by Embracer Group subsidiary Saber Interactive in 2021.
Whereas Slipgate Ironworks was based in 2010, some video games the studio labored on embody 2020’s Ghostrunner, which it co-developed with One Extra Degree. And Graven, an early entry fantasy-themed first-person recreation, is ready to obtain a full launch early subsequent 12 months. Like 3D Realms, Embracer acquired the studio in 2021.
These layoffs are solely the most recent for Embracer Group this 12 months alone after a deal value $2 billion fell by way of. Final month, Embracer revealed that over 900 workers had been laid off as a part of the restructure.
Different Embracer-owned studios that confronted layoffs this 12 months embody Campfire Cabal, Frontier Developments, and Free Radical Design.
Within the case of Free Radical Design, the creator behind Timesplitters, the studio closed its doorways earlier this week. Embracer-owned studio Deep Silver revived Free Radical in 2021 after it initially went defunct within the late 2000s; the revived Free Radical Design was tasked with creating a brand new installment within the Timesplitters franchise.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @TayNixster.
