Surgent Studios, led by founder Abubakar Salim, confirmed that recent layoffs have affected “just over a dozen” employees. In a heartfelt social media post, Salim expressed deep sorrow over the situation, praising the team’s resilience and achievements over the past four years.
He acknowledged the difficulty of delivering such news and empathized with others facing similar challenges in the industry. Salim also shared details of the affected employees, encouraging others in the industry to consider them for open positions.
The news of the layoffs was first noted by Game Developer, with several former employees publicly announcing their job search. Level designer Peter Brisbourne, technical artist Jordan Smee, and a producer known as Raysura each took to social media to confirm their departures, with Brisbourne and Smee reflecting on the harsh realities of the gaming industry.
Another producer, Phillip Smy, also shared his experience of being laid off, describing the industry as the “wild west.”
These layoffs follow the release of Surgent Studios’ debut game, *Tales of Kenzera: Zau*, which received positive reviews for its storytelling. Despite the game’s success, the studio couldn’t avoid the broader trend of industry layoffs, which has seen significant job losses across major companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Square Enix.
The layoffs at Surgent Studios are part of a larger wave of redundancies that have impacted over 10,000 employees in the gaming industry by mid-2024.
The situation at Surgent Studios highlights the instability and volatility within the video game development sector. Despite successful projects and positive reception, many studios still face financial and operational challenges that lead to workforce reductions. This trend has raised concerns about the sustainability of current business models and the overall health of the industry.
For further insights into the industry’s layoff trends, Chris Dring’s feature article explores the underlying issues contributing to these widespread job losses. The ongoing challenges faced by developers underscore the need for a more stable and supportive environment for creative professionals in the gaming industry.