Deck Nine Games, the developer behind Life is Strange: True Colors, has recently revealed plans for staff layoffs, citing the challenging market conditions prevailing in the games industry.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Deck Nine expressed the difficulty of the decision, announcing a reduction of 20% of its workforce. The studio emphasized the value of the affected employees, acknowledging their remarkable talent and contributions to the company. They highlighted the significant impact these individuals have had during their tenure at Deck Nine Games, underscoring the weightiness of the decision.
— Deck Nine Games (@DeckNineGames) February 27, 2024
Stephan Frost, the game director, shed light on additional measures taken by leadership to mitigate the impact, mentioning that pay cuts were implemented among management to minimize the number of affected employees. Despite efforts to safeguard the team, Frost lamented the current state of the industry, expressing disappointment at the necessity of such actions.
This isn’t the first time Deck Nine has faced such challenges, as they previously underwent layoffs in May 2023. Notably, the studio gained recognition for its work on Life is Strange: Before the Storm in 2017 and took over the franchise with Life is Strange: True Colors in 2021. Their portfolio also includes releases like Life is Strange Remastered Collection and The Expanse: A Telltale Series.
The news of Deck Nine’s layoffs adds to a string of similar announcements across the games industry. Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and The Quarry, recently disclosed plans to lay off 90 employees.
Sony made headlines with massive layoffs affecting 900 developers across its first-party studios, impacting renowned studios such as Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Guerrilla Games. These developments underscore the challenges facing developers in an increasingly volatile industry landscape.
