Life Is Strange Dev’s Workers Are Going On Strike Over Impending Layoffs

Workers on the French gaming studio Do not Nod–the builders behind Jusant, Life is Strange 1 and a couple of, and upcoming launch Misplaced Information: Bloom & Rage–are set to strike this week as a result of imminent layoffs. The STJV (Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo, “Video Video games Workers Union”) introduced that the picket line can be subsequent to the studio’s headquarters in Paris.

Final week, the union known as for a strike as a result of 69 jobs on the studio which might be in danger. Do not Nod CEO Oskar Guilbert defined {that a} new initiative was designed for a “reorganization undertaking to make sure the corporate’s long-term future” amid “deteriorating” monetary outcomes.

“Our half-year outcomes for 2024 mirror the financial underperformance of our newest launch, regardless of strong scores on Metacritic, in addition to the accounting influence of the choices we needed to take. The preliminary efficiency help measures introduced final spring not appear enough to take care of the corporate’s competitiveness,” Guilbert stated in a statement.

“Consequently, at this time we introduced a reorganization undertaking to the worker consultant our bodies, which might set Do not Nod on a brand new improvement trajectory,” he added. “I’m totally aware of the influence this undertaking could have on all our staff. Securing our firm’s assets and restoring its potential to carry out extra in an more and more aggressive and selective trade is extraordinarily vital.”

STJV identified its calls for and countered the assertion with why the employees are placing and the way it may be known as off.

“We demand that administration instantly quit on this irresponsible and unfair layoffs plan. We demand that the studio’s staff, who’re essentially the most competent individuals, have an precise say in all decision-making. We demand the presence of Oskar Guilbert within the negotiations, and that he takes full duty as CEO,” it learn. “This layoff plan is absurd, violent, and won’t save our firm. We due to this fact name on our colleagues to proceed their mobilization with a one-day strike on Friday, November 8.”

Regardless of having to pause productions of two future releases as a result of lackluster gross sales of each Juscant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, Do not Nod nonetheless has excessive hopes for Misplaced Information: Bloom and Rage, out in February.