Relic Entertainment has introduced sweeping cuts it stated have been made to offer the studio “the absolute best likelihood to outlive.”
Final month, Relic, the developer of real-time technique video games Dawn of War and Company of Heroes, purchased itself out from earlier proprietor Sega with the assistance of an exterior developer. Scorching on the heels of that announcement comes affirmation of one more wave of layoffs lower than a yr after 121 have been let go from the studio.
“Following final week’s announcement of Relic changing into an impartial studio, at present we have now some troublesome information,” Relic stated in a press release revealed on LinkedIn.
“Earlier at present we shared particulars with Relicans a few layoff. Letting individuals go was not a simple determination, and was made solely with the purpose of offering Relic the absolute best likelihood to outlive in an more and more risky trade. It doesn’t in any method mirror the experience, ardour, or character of any of the impacted staff.
“We’re working carefully with these affected offering severance packages, prolonged advantages, and outplacement help choices.
“To these we’re saying goodbye to, we’re deeply sorry that it has come to this. We thanks for all the things you’ve carried out for our studio and our initiatives, and we want you all one of the best.”
Relic exterior improvement producer Robyn Smale issued a separate assertion on LinkedIn, confirming 41 have been let go on this newest spherical of cuts.
“I’m completely gutted that we’re right here once more with extra layoffs at Relic Entertainment,” Smale stated. “We’ve got misplaced a quantity of superb individuals – 41. It’s been a bumpy highway these days, so to most, that is no shock. However nonetheless a disgrace, nonetheless.”
When Relic introduced its independence, it stated it might proceed to help its current titles, together with final yr’s Company of Heroes 3. The studio has but to announce what’s subsequent.
The layoffs at Relic come amid one of the hardest durations the online game trade has ever confronted. Hundreds of employees have misplaced their jobs, with Microsoft shedding 1,900 from its gaming enterprise, and Sony chopping 900 employees from PlayStation. Analysts predict extra are to return.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.