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 reveal that they’d 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, said in a post that he had “a number of sources” inform him that layoffs have been occurring, significantly at the 3D Realms headquarters in Denmark.
“This one hits me exhausting as a result of I labored with the new 3DR from 2014 up till once they have been purchased out by Embracer 2.5 yrs in the past,” Miller wrote.
It is presently unclear how many individuals have been affected, however Miller wrote that he heard “half the firm” had been laid off.
A number of sources have instructed me this unhealthy information… Sorry to hear about one other drop of the axe by Embracer Group, this time touchdown on Danish 3D Realms. Lots of people, together with core devs, will probably be in search of 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 have to say I’ve additionally been affected by the layoffs@ SlipgateIronworks & 3DR
At present in search of Fulltime work inside the 3D gamedev area
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 Searching for work. (@Pat_a_wan) December 15, 2023
Final evening I used to be laid off from 3DRealms/SlipgateIronworks and now I have to undertake the journey of in search of new alternatives
if anybody is searching for a programmer that may do Graphics/AI/Porting/Engine stuff (and non-Unreal initiatives) please hit me up
— ziyad barakat (@ziacko1) December 14, 2023
Good day!
Earlier at this time i used to be laid off from 3DRealms/Slipgate, and am now in search of work!I have been a Texture Artist (photoreal/stylized) for a few years in a large number of initiatives, and have some expertise in the UI/UX division as effectively.
💬Please RT and attain out!
— 𝕄𝕀𝕂𝔼𝔻. (@mdominguezppf) December 15, 2023
For Christmas this 12 months, I received laid off! 🥳
If anybody is in search of a stage designer or audio please hit me up!
— Markie (@markiemusicpro) December 14, 2023
In a press release despatched to IGN, an Embracer Group spokesperson mentioned the firm does “not touch upon rumors or hypothesis” when requested about the current layoffs at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks. They added that they are in the midst of a “complete restructuring program” which may embrace “the closing of studios and termination of initiatives.” You’ll be able to learn the full assertion under.
The studio was based in 1987 by Miller as Apogee Software program earlier than being renamed a number of years later. It is best identified for creating the Duke Nukem collection. 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 embrace 2020’s Ghostrunner, which it co-developed with One Extra Degree. And Graven, an early entry fantasy-themed first-person sport, 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 newest for Embracer Group this 12 months alone after a deal price $2 billion fell by way of. Final month, Embracer revealed that over 900 employees have been laid off as a part of the restructure.
Different Embracer-owned studios that confronted layoffs this 12 months embrace Campfire Cabal, Frontier Developments, and Free Radical Design.
In 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 in the late 2000s; the revived Free Radical Design was tasked with creating a brand new installment in the Timesplitters franchise.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You’ll be able to observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.