Outriders Developer People Can Fly Suffers Significant Layoffs

The video game industry has been hit hard by a wave of layoffs, with numerous studios of all sizes affected. The latest studio to join the list is People Can Fly, the developer behind the cooperative looter shooter Outriders. According to a report by Kotaku, more than 30 staff members working on the upcoming Project Gemini have been laid off, with a further 20 staff being moved to other projects within the studio.

People Can Fly, which is based in Poland, has a reputation for creating high-quality games. Its portfolio includes Bulletstorm, Green Hell VR, and Outriders. The latter, which was published by Square Enix, received lukewarm reviews upon release. Despite this, Outriders has been a popular game among players, with many praising its cooperative gameplay and unique classes.

The news of the layoffs comes as a shock to the gaming community, especially given People Can Fly’s track record of producing enjoyable games. Development director Adam Alker addressed the staff in an email, expressing gratitude for their hard work and dedication. He also extended his appreciation to those individuals who were transitioning out of the studio due to the changes.

The Polish developer has a number of other projects in development, but the major changes to Project Gemini could affect its release. Anonymous sources told Kotaku that the campaign for the game would be shorter, and the enemy roster would be smaller due to a reduced budget.

The video game industry has seen a significant number of layoffs in recent times, with companies like Microsoft, Embracer, Epic Games, and Hasbro all suffering job losses. Dreams’ Media Molecule, Cyberpunk 2077’s CD Projekt Red, F1 Manager’s Frontier Developments, and Assassin’s Creed’s Ubisoft have also been affected. Even entire studios like Embracer’s Campfire Cabal and Saints Row developer Volition Games, as well as the studio behind TimeSplittlers Free Radical, have been closed.

The layoffs have been described as the worst in history, with myriad other studios of all sizes affected. The situation has caused a “soul crushing” atmosphere at some studios, with developers expressing their disappointment and frustration on social media.

Despite the challenges, the gaming community remains hopeful that the industry will bounce back. Many have taken to social media to express their support for the affected developers, offering words of encouragement and expressing their belief that they will find new opportunities in the industry.

In conclusion, the news of the layoffs at People Can Fly is a blow to the gaming community, especially given the studio’s reputation for producing enjoyable games. The future of Project Gemini remains uncertain, but the team at People Can Fly remains committed to creating high-quality games. The industry as a whole continues to face challenges, but the community remains hopeful that it will bounce back.

As we move forward, it is important to remember that the gaming industry is not just about the latest releases or the biggest studios. It is about the people who create the games we love, and their well-being should always be a priority. Let us continue to support the developers and studios that bring us the games we enjoy, and let us hope that better days are ahead for all those affected by the recent layoffs.

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