UPDATE 02/07/2024: In response to the multiple reports regarding layoffs, Surgent Studios confirmed the cuts in a statement published to its Twitter account.
The statement also confirms that more than 12 people were impacted by this layoff.
“Unfortunately, Surgent has joined the growing number of games studios impacted by layoffs this year with just over a dozen people affected,” the statement began.
“It’s a difficult time in the games industry, but we remain incredibly proud of our entire team’s work on ZAU and of the praise it has received from critics and players alike. Our focus now is on supporting those affected, continuing our work on ZAU, and looking to the future with our next creative projects.”
Studio founder Abubakar Salim also spoke on the layoffs, saying “This isn’t the news I wanted to share today.”
“I am so proud of what the team have achieved over the course of these 4 years. When things got tough, every one of them stood so strong, it was inspiring. So to be delivering this news today really sucks. I know we’re not alone here, but that doesn’t make it easier.
The focus now is to continue supporting those affected in anyway we can.”
Original Story:
Surgent Studios, the developer behind this year’s Tales of Kenzera: Zau, looks set to be hit by a number of layoffs as job losses continue to plague the industry this year.
A number of developers who have worked at Surgent Studios have revealed on their LinkedIn profile that their time at the studio is coming to a close.
Former technical artist Jordan Smee wrote, “Well, it looks like I’m joining all the people affected by industry layoffs this year.” Elsewhere, Peter Brisborune, a level designer at Surgent Studios, commented, “The chapter entitled ‘Pete Works At Surgent Studios’ is coming to a close at the end of the month.”
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Surgent Studios was established by Abubaker Salim, who Assassin’s Creed fans may recognise as the voice talent behind Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins. ZAU is quite a personal project for Salim, as it was a way for him to process the passing of his father and dealing with loss of loved ones as a whole.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU was released in April 2024 for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. You can read our full review here.
[Source – LinkedIn via Game Developer]