Embracer Group has as soon as once more carried out a spherical of layoffs, with Duke Nukem creator 3D Realms and Ghostrunner co-developer Slipgate Ironworks being hit, per posts on social media by former staff.
Workers at each studios took to X/Twitter to disclose that they’d been laid off from their jobs, together with Michael Markie, a lead composer at each studios, and Patrick Hewitt, a 3D artist. Scott Miller, the founding father of 3D Realms, said in a post that he had “a number of sources” inform him that layoffs have been occurring, significantly on the 3D Realms headquarters in Denmark.
“This one hits me laborious as a result of I labored with the brand new 3DR from 2014 up till after they have been purchased out by Embracer 2.5 yrs in the past,” Miller wrote.
It is presently unclear how many individuals have been affected, however Miller wrote that he heard “half the corporate” had been laid off.
A number of sources have informed me this unhealthy information… Sorry to listen to about one other drop of the axe by Embracer Group, this time touchdown on Danish 3D Realms. Lots of people, together with core devs, can be on the lookout for work asap. Hopefully they land jobs quickly. This one hits me laborious as a result of I…
— Scott Miller – Apogee/3DR Founder☢️ (@ScottApogee) December 14, 2023
Sadly with a heavy coronary heart I need to say I’ve additionally been affected by the layoffs@ SlipgateIronworks & 3DR
At present on the lookout for Fulltime work throughout the 3D gamedev area
My expertise are Hardsurface prop and car artwork having labored on Tempest Rising prev
?Please RT and attain out! <3 pic.twitter.com/YDC85qubsG
— Pat-a-wan | 3D Artist On the lookout for work. (@Pat_a_wan) December 15, 2023
Final night time I used to be laid off from 3DRealms/SlipgateIronworks and now I need to undertake the journey of on the lookout for new alternatives
if anybody is looking for a programmer that may do Graphics/AI/Porting/Engine stuff (and non-Unreal tasks) please hit me up
— ziyad barakat (@ziacko1) December 14, 2023
Hi there!
Earlier immediately i used to be laid off from 3DRealms/Slipgate, and am now on the lookout for work!I have been a Texture Artist (photoreal/stylized) for a few years in a large number of tasks, and have some expertise within the UI/UX division as properly.
?Please RT and attain out!
— ?????. (@mdominguezppf) December 15, 2023
For Christmas this 12 months, I received laid off! ?
If anybody is on the lookout for a stage designer or audio please hit me up!
— Markie (@markiemusicpro) December 14, 2023
In an announcement despatched to IGN, an Embracer Group spokesperson mentioned the corporate does “not touch upon rumors or hypothesis” when requested concerning the latest layoffs at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks. They added that they are within the midst of a “complete restructuring program” which might embrace “the closing of studios and termination of tasks.” You’ll be able to learn the total assertion under.
The studio was based in 1987 by Miller as Apogee Software program earlier than being renamed just a few years later. It is best recognized for creating the Duke Nukem collection. The studio was acquired by Embracer Group subsidiary Saber Interactive in 2021.
Whereas Slipgate Ironworks was based in 2010, some video games the studio labored on embrace 2020’s Ghostrunner, which it co-developed with One Extra Stage. And Graven, an early entry fantasy-themed first-person recreation, is ready to obtain a full launch early subsequent 12 months. Like 3D Realms, Embracer acquired the studio in 2021.
These layoffs are solely the most recent for Embracer Group this 12 months alone after a deal value $2 billion fell by way of. Final month, Embracer revealed that over 900 workers have been laid off as a part of the restructure.
Different Embracer-owned studios that confronted layoffs this 12 months embrace Campfire Cabal, Frontier Developments, and Free Radical Design.
Within the case of Free Radical Design, the creator behind Timesplitters, the studio closed its doorways earlier this week. Embracer-owned studio Deep Silver revived Free Radical in 2021 after it initially went defunct within the late 2000s; the revived Free Radical Design was tasked with creating a brand new installment within the Timesplitters franchise.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You’ll be able to observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.