Dauntless and Fae Farm developer Phoenix Labs has introduced one other spherical of layoffs – its fourth since Might 2023 – this time affecting the “majority” of employees on the studio.
Phoenix Labs loved early success with its first recreation, free-to-play Monster-Hunter-like Dauntless, and the studio launched its second title, Fae Farm, in 2023. Nonetheless, the developer has confronted a number of rounds of layoffs since its acquisition by blockchain firm Forte Labs in 2023, beginning with job cuts impacting 9 % of its workforce in Might that yr. A additional 34 layoffs adopted seven months later, with an further 140 jobs being minimize final Might. And, sadly for workers, layoffs have continued into 2025.
“At this time is one other troublesome day at Phoenix Labs,” the developer wrote in a message posted to LinkedIn on Monday. “Now we have made the powerful choice to half methods with the vast majority of the studio as a part of unlucky however crucial adjustments to our operations.”
We recognise and deeply recognize the contributions of each particular person impacted,” it continued. “Their expertise, dedication, and creativity have left an indelible mark on our firm and our video games… To our trade friends, we encourage you to succeed in out to those distinctive people – they’re a few of the greatest within the enterprise.”
As for Dauntless and Fae Farm, the studio says it will share extra on their destiny “within the coming weeks”, however notes its present focus is on “supporting these affected via this transition.”
Phoenix Labs’ announcement follows a devastating 2024 for the video games trade – wherein round 13000 workers are believed to have misplaced their jobs – and continues a January dogged by additional layoffs and studio closures. Ubisoft, for example, introduced it was reducing 185 jobs this week, whereas Jar of Sparks – the studio based by Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook – confirmed it had laid off “all” its workforce earlier this month. Final yr, Chris Dring shared his ideas with Eurogamer on why these layoffs are occurring.
