Blackbird Interactive, the developer behind Homeworld 3, introduced at present that it has laid off greater than 40 workers after a number of of its upcoming initiatives have been canceled.
The information was first made public on LinkedIn (noticed first by X consumer @bogorad222) by James Marshall, who’s a Technical Artist at Blackbird Interactive. Marshall famous that over 40 individuals have been laid off, and IGN might independently verify that 41 workers have been let go by the studio.
In an announcement despatched to IGN, a spokesperson for Blackbird Interactive confirmed the studio had layoffs and that 41 workers have been impacted.
“We’ve needed to take the unlucky step of shedding some buddies this week. This 12 months has been extremely robust on the business as a complete. As a consequence, we have had a number of unannounced initiatives canceled and yesterday have been pressured to say goodbye to 41 of our group members. As an impartial studio, Blackbird Interactive has at all times been a close-knit group. Our high precedence helps place these affected for this subsequent stage of their careers. We are providing a set of prolonged advantages and severance to assist ease this transition. No introduced initiatives will likely be affected by this transfer, and we are going to proceed to ship on these video games.”
Blackbird Interactive was based in 2007. As famous on Video gamesIndustry.biz’s web site, Blackbird was based by senior members who beforehand labored for EA and Relic Entertainment, the latter of which developed the primary two video games within the Homeworld franchise. The studio can be considered one of a handful of builders that has carried out a four-day work week, which it went into impact final 12 months.
Blackbird Interactive has labored on a number of initiatives with its first sport, titled Homeworld: Deserts of Kaharak, launched in 2016. The studio additionally helped Minecraft developer Mojang Studios co-develop Minecraft Legends. Blackbird is at the moment engaged on Homeworld 3, which is ready to launch subsequent 12 months on PC. Additionally, Blackbird is engaged on Earthless, a sci-fi-themed card sport introduced in June, that will likely be printed by Team17 and is ready to launch in Steam Early Access someday subsequent 12 months.
Blackbird Interactive is considered one of a number of studios to have been hit with layoffs this 12 months. Other studios hit with layoffs embody The Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance Studios, Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red, and Embracer Group-owned Campfire Cabal.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can comply with her on Twitter @TayNixster.
