UPDATE 05/04/2024: Though in the studio’s original statement regarding the layoffs, it didn’t specify just how many people would be losing their jobs, external development producer Robyn Smale indicated in a LinkedIn post the number of people laid off was 41.
Original Story:
Relic Entertainment announced that it would be an independent studio moving forward, thanks to the help of an “external investor.” Just a week later, the studio announced it will be laying off employees.
Just how many people were impacted by the layoff is unclear, Relic only indicated that earlier today it “shared details with Relicans about a layoff,” in a post on the studio’s LinkedIn page.
Relic Entertainment’s independence came in the wake of SEGA laying off 240 employees across multiple divisions, all focused in the companies EU branch.
“Following last week’s announcement of Relic becoming an independent studio, today we have some difficult news,” the studio began in its statement.
“Earlier today we shared details with Relicans about a layoff. Letting people go was not an easy decision, and was made solely with the goal of providing Relic the best possible chance to survive in an increasingly volatile industry. It does not in any way reflect the expertise, passion, or character of any of the impacted employees.
We are working closely with those affected providing severance packages, extended benefits, and outplacement support options.
To those we are saying goodbye to, we are deeply sorry that it has come to this. We thank you for everything you have done for our studio and our projects, and we wish you all the best.”
Relic going independent definitely felt like a good sign when the announcement was made, but it was never a surefire way to avoid layoffs. Being an independent team can in many ways potentially make a studio more vulnerable to layoffs.
Ultimately it’s sad to continue seeing more hard-working, dedicated developers losing their jobs as reward for the efforts. Hopefully those impacted are able to land on their feet soon.
Source – [Relic Entertainment via LinkedIn]