Don't Nod Announces Layoffs That Could Impact Up to 69 Workers

ign.com:

Don't Nod's ongoing struggles continue, with the company announcing it's preparing to implement a reorganization that could result in layoffs of up to 69 employees.

The announcement comes with the company's financial results for the first half of the year today, which showed an 11% year-over-year decline in operating revenue. Per the company, the decline is the result of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and Jusant not performing as well as expected.

"Our half-year results for 2024 reflect the economic underperformance of our latest release, despite solid ratings on Metacritic, as well as the accounting impact of the decisions we had to take," said CEO Oskar Guilbert in a statement. "The initial performance support measures announced last spring no longer seem sufficient to maintain the company's competitiveness. As a result, today we presented a reorganization project to the employee representative bodies, which could set Don't Nod on a new development trajectory. I am fully conscious of the impact this project may have on all our employees. Securing our company's resources and restoring its ability to perform more in an increasingly competitive and selective industry is extremely necessary."

The company has already taken some restructuring measures to reduce costs, including "pressing pause" on two unannounced projects. However, this seems to not be enough, as Don't Nod is also expecting to lay off a number of individuals in the coming months. The exact number is still in flux, as Don't Nod management must negotiate with employee union representatives and may implement other measures such as a voluntary redundancy plan. Notably, earlier this year, the representative French union Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) accused the company of mismanagement, claiming employees were facing burnout due to the ongoing reorganization and that communication, understaffing, and shifting deadlines were endangering the workforce.

Update 2:22pm PT: STJV has