Reikon Games Layoffs: 80% of the Workforce Let Go

Reikon Games, the studio behind the critically acclaimed isometric shooter Ruiner, has reportedly undergone significant layoffs, with approximately 60 to 70 employees, or around 80% of its workforce, being let go. The news was first reported by Kotaku, who cited multiple sources confirming the mass termination.

The affected employees were reportedly informed of the decision on January 25, 2024. Social media reports from former Reikon developers have corroborated the layoffs, with some expressing their disappointment and shock at the sudden turn of events. IGN reached out to Reikon Games for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Reikon Games had recently announced a new project, Codename: Final Form, which was planned to be published under Plaion (owned by Embracer Group)’s Prime Matter label. The studio’s layoffs come on the same day as Microsoft’s games division laying off 1900 employees, marking a significant day in the ongoing wave of industry layoffs.

The games industry has seen an estimated 10,000 developers being let go in 2023 alone, with the situation expected to persist for months to come. In recent interviews, industry leaders have suggested that the situation will remain dire for the foreseeable future.

Reikon Games was previously known for its team of experienced developers, many of whom had previously worked at CD Projekt RED. The studio’s layoffs are a significant blow to the gaming community, with many expressing their disappointment and concern for the affected employees.

The reasons behind the layoffs are not yet clear, but some speculate that the financial strain caused by the ongoing industry downturn may be a contributing factor. Others suggest that the cancellation or delay of Codename: Final Form may have played a role in the decision.

Regardless of the reasons, the layoffs at Reikon Games serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the games industry and the human cost of the ongoing downturn. The affected employees are encouraged to seek support from industry organizations and resources, such as the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and Game Workers Unite.

In the meantime, the gaming community can show its support by wishlisting and promoting the games developed by the affected studios and developers. By doing so, we can help ensure that the talented individuals who have been let go continue to make a meaningful contribution to the industry they love.

Reikon Games’ Layoffs: A Wake-Up Call for the Games Industry

The layoffs at Reikon Games serve as a wake-up call for the games industry, highlighting the need for greater transparency, support, and stability in the face of ongoing financial challenges.

The games industry has long been notorious for its volatility, with developers and studios facing significant financial risks and uncertainty. The ongoing downturn, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of digital distribution, has only intensified these challenges.

The situation has led to a wave of layoffs and studio closures, with many talented individuals being let go in the process. The human cost of these layoffs is significant, with many developers and their families facing financial hardship and uncertainty.

To address these challenges, the games industry needs to take a more proactive approach to supporting its workforce. This could include measures such as:

1. Greater transparency: Developers and publishers need to be more transparent about their financial situation and the reasons behind any layoffs or studio closures. This will help build trust and understanding within the community and reduce the impact on affected individuals.
2. Support for affected employees: Industry organizations, such as the IGDA and Game Workers Unite, need to provide greater support and resources for affected employees. This could include career counseling, job placement services, and financial assistance.
3. Stability and sustainability: The games industry needs to focus on creating more stable and sustainable business models. This could include exploring alternative revenue streams, such as subscription services and merchandise sales, and investing in long-term projects that can provide a steady source of income.
4. Collective bargaining: The games industry needs to explore the benefits of collective bargaining, which can help ensure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for developers. This will not only benefit individual employees but also help attract and retain top talent, ultimately leading to better games and a stronger industry.

By taking a more proactive approach to supporting its workforce, the games industry can help mitigate the impact of ongoing financial challenges and create a more sustainable and stable future for developers and studios alike.

The Human Cost of the Games Industry Downturn

The layoffs at Reikon Games serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing games industry downturn. The affected employees are not just statistics or numbers; they are individuals with families, mortgages, and dreams.

The layoffs also highlight the need for greater support and resources for affected employees. The games industry is known for its passion and creativity, but it can be a challenging and uncertain place to work. The ongoing downturn has only intensified these challenges, making it more important than ever for the industry to come together and support its workforce.

The gaming community can play a role in this by wishlisting and promoting the games developed by affected studios and developers. By doing so, we can help ensure that talented individuals continue to make a meaningful contribution to the industry they love.

Conclusion

The layoffs at Reikon Games serve as a wake-up call for the games industry, highlighting the need for greater transparency, support, and stability in the face of ongoing financial challenges. The human cost of these layoffs is significant, and it is essential that the industry comes together to support affected employees and create a more sustainable and stable future for developers and studios alike.

By taking a more proactive approach to supporting its workforce, the games industry can help mitigate the impact of ongoing financial challenges and create a more vibrant and innovative future for gamers and developers alike.

Let us remember that behind every game, every character, every world, there are individuals who pour their heart and soul into creating something magical. Let us support them, not just with our wallets, but with our words and actions. Let us make a difference, one game at a time.

References:

* Kotaku (2024, January 25). Reikon Games reportedly lays off 60-70 employees, or around 80% of its workforce. Retrieved from https://kotaku.com/reikon-games-reportedly-lays-off-60-70-employees-or-ar-1850233123
* IGN (2024, January 25). Ruiner Developer Reikon Games Reportedly Lays Off 80% of the Company. Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/ruiner-developer-reikon-games-reportedly-lays-off-80-of-the-company
* Microsoft (2024, January 25). Microsoft lays off 1,900 employees in one of the biggest round of layoffs the video game industry has ever seen. Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-lays-off-1900-employees-in-one-of-the-biggest-round-of-layoffs-the-video-game-industry-has-ever-seen
* International Game Developers Association (IGDA) (n.d.). About IGDA. Retrieved from https://www.igda.org/about
* Game Workers Unite (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://gameworkersunite.org/about/
* The Verge (2023, December 15). The video game industry is in crisis. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/15/23513833/video-game-industry-layoffs-crisis-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-lost-in-2023
* GamesIndustry.biz (2023, December 13). Games industry layoffs tracker: 10,000 jobs lost in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-13-games-industry-layoffs-tracker-10000-jobs-l