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 workers.
Employees 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, stated in a submit that he had “a number of sources” inform him that layoffs had been occurring, notably on the 3D Realms headquarters in Denmark.
“This one hits me onerous as a result of I labored with the brand new 3DR from 2014 up till after they had been purchased out by Embracer 2.5 yrs in the past,” Miller wrote.
It’s at present unclear how many individuals had been affected, however Miller wrote that he heard “half the corporate” had been laid off.
Several sources have instructed 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, shall be in search of work asap. Hopefully they land jobs quickly. This one hits me onerous as a result of I…
— Scott Miller – Apogee/3DR Founder☢️ (@ScottApogee) December 14, 2023
Sadly with a heavy coronary heart I have to say I’ve additionally been affected by the layoffs@ SlipgateIronworks & 3DR
Currently in search of Fulltime work throughout the 3D gamedev area
My expertise are Hardsurface prop and automobile artwork having labored on Tempest Rising prev
?Please RT and attain out! <3 pic.twitter.com/YDC85qubsG
— Pat-a-wan | 3D Artist Looking for work. (@Pat_a_wan) December 15, 2023
Last evening I used to be laid off from 3DRealms/SlipgateIronworks and now I have to undertake the journey of in search of new alternatives
if anybody is looking for a programmer that may do Graphics/AI/Porting/Engine stuff (and non-Unreal initiatives) please hit me up
— ziyad barakat (@ziacko1) December 14, 2023
Hello!
Earlier at the moment i used to be laid off from 3DRealms/Slipgate, and am now in search of work!I’ve been a Texture Artist (photoreal/stylized) for a few years in a mess of initiatives, 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 acquired laid off! ?
If anybody is in search of a degree designer or audio please hit me up!
— Markie (@markiemusicpro) December 14, 2023
In a press release despatched to IGN, an Embracer Group spokesperson stated 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 embody “the closing of studios and termination of initiatives.” You can learn the total assertion beneath.
The studio was based in 1987 by Miller as Apogee Software earlier than being renamed just a few years later. It’s finest identified for creating the Duke Nukem collection. The studio was acquired by Embracer Group subsidiary Saber Interactive in 2021.
While Slipgate Ironworks was based in 2010, some video games the studio labored on embody 2020’s Ghostrunner, which it co-developed with One More Level. And Graven, an early entry fantasy-themed first-person sport, is about 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 price $2 billion fell via. Last month, Embracer revealed that over 900 workers had been laid off as a part of the restructure.
Other Embracer-owned studios that confronted layoffs this 12 months embody Campfire Cabal, Frontier Developments, and Free Radical Design.
In 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 can observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.
