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Embracer lay off around 50 people at Chorus and Galaxy on Fire developer FishlabsRemaining staff will work on “smaller projects”
Remaining staff will work on “smaller projects”
Image credit:Plaion
Image credit:Plaion
The Embracer mass layoffs train has come for Fishlabs, the Hamburg-based studio behind space shooterChorus. Embracer have laid off more than half the Fishlabs team - “around 50 people” - as part of a restructuring operation that has already seen the Swedish conglomeratecut over 900 jobsacross their business over the summer.
VGCandEurogamerbroke the news earlier this afternoon, citing sources close to the studio. Fishlabs have now confirmed the report ina social media post. “Unfortunately, the challenging year in the industry, as well as the challenges of internal group-wide restructuring efforts have affected our team after all,” it reads. “We are heart-broken to announce that we had to face the tough decision from Embracer Group of layoffs in our studio.”
The studio previously had 95 staff, with a few people let go in September after a smaller project based on internal IP was cancelled, Eurogamer reports. According to VGC’s sources, meanwhile, Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors told staff this morning that a “lack of approval and financing” for another in-development project had left Embracer with “no other choice” but to make further cuts.
Sadly, however, Chorus hasn’t sold well enough for Embracer, though Eurogamer’s sources describe the decision to cut staff as a surprise, especially this close to Xmas. The official Fishlabs statement acknowledges this.
“We have to recognise that it has been especially disheartening to hear this news for our team and their families as the holiday season approaches,” it reads. “We are working with the leadership team at PLAION to support every affected team member and help as many of them through career transition assistance and comprehensive severance packages.”
Among the Fishlabs staff laid off are3D character artist Anton Komarov,senior character artist Fritz Valencia,senior technical artist Nils Svenningsen, and senior game designer Inari Bornholm.
Due to my third project cancellation this year, and yet another Embracer mass layoffs at Fishlabs, I am looking for a new position as a game designer, narrative designer or overall interaction designer outside the game industry.I’m also now open to relocation.pic.twitter.com/WDxMWAeXrP— Inari Bornholm 👀 LOOKING FOR WORK (@inariflexion)November 28, 2023
Due to my third project cancellation this year, and yet another Embracer mass layoffs at Fishlabs, I am looking for a new position as a game designer, narrative designer or overall interaction designer outside the game industry.I’m also now open to relocation.pic.twitter.com/WDxMWAeXrP
According to the Fishlabs statement, the studio will remain open as “a small, but passionate and committed team” dedicated to “smaller projects”.
Embracer’s restructuringis still in the early stages, an executive commented last week, with more cancellations and closures likely. It’s rumoured thatTimesplitters studio Free Radical are facing closure, whileBorderlands creators Gearbox could be sold off.
Best of luck to everybody affected.
