In a recent wave of industry layoffs, Embracer Group has dealt a blow to Lost Boys Interactive, the developer behind Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. “It seems a sizable portion of Lost Boys Interactive was laid off today, including myself,” shares former producer Jared Pace. The cuts, affecting all disciplines, raise concerns about the future of Gearbox’s projects.
Former producer Jared Pace, who is among those laid off, shared his thoughts, “It seems a sizable portion of Lost Boys Interactive was laid off today, including myself. Still trying to understand the scope of it all, but sadly this is a song and dance we’re all familiar with.” This sheds light on the widespread nature of the job cuts that affect all aspects of the studio.
Embracer Group, the parent company, has been down this road before. Last year, they let go of about 900 employees, and just two months later, another 50 lost their jobs at Fishlabs, the developers of Chorus. Embracer says these moves are in response to industry challenges and the breakdown of a deal that could have brought in $2 billion over six years.
This time, Lost Boys Interactive, with around 400 employees, is feeling the impact. The studio played a key role in the success of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which launched on PlayStation Plus. Spicer McElroy, former art director at Lost Boys, said, “It was an absolutely fantastic time full of challenges and beautiful friendships. If you see anyone from Lost Boys looking for work, grab them immediately. They are the most amazing group of artists I’ve ever worked with.”
These job cuts aren’t isolated incidents. Embracer Group’s other subsidiaries, like 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks, have also faced workforce reductions. The uncertainty extends to Gearbox Software, the overarching entity that owns Lost Boys Interactive. Rumors are swirling that Embracer, which bought Gearbox in 2021 for $1.4 billion, might be considering selling the studio.
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Fans of games like Borderlands, developed by Gearbox, are understandably anxious. The association of Lost Boys Interactive with Gearbox adds complexity. Gamers are wondering how these job cuts will affect the development and quality of future releases.
As Embracer Group faces criticism for repeated layoffs, the gaming industry is dealing with its own set of challenges. Unity, Twitch, and Discord have also announced significant downsizing efforts. The big question remains – are these job cuts really necessary, or do they hint at a larger shift in the gaming industry? With the continuous waves of layoffs, 2024 seems to be another year marked by challenges and uncertainties for developers and gaming enthusiasts alike.
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