One day after trumpeting its big Summer Game Fest reveals, Sumo Group is laying off 15% of its workers and closing Timbre Games
Just days after showing off multiple games at various Summer Game Fest showcases, Sumo Group has announced that it is laying off up to 15% of its total workforce «to ensure the security of the business going forward.»
«Whilst Sumo has been able to manage through many of the recent difficulties the games industry has faced, we have not been immune and reshaping operations across the business to better navigate the upcoming challenges expected in the coming months is a path we must now take to ensure the security of the business going forward,» the company said in a statement.
«The difficult decision to reduce our costs across the business in a number of ways is a direct result of these challenges, and unfortunately will include a reduction in the number of people the business can support. Every alternate route to limit the impact to our people is being considered but sadly this process of transformation will affect up to 15% of our people across the Group in Canada, UK, Poland, Czech Republic and India.»
The number of people being put out of work was not announced. Sumo Group's website indicates it has more than 1,790 employees across multiple studios around the world, which would put the number at around 270.
Whatever the case, the layoffs are particularly galling in light of the fact that just one day earlier, Sumo Digital was trumpeting its «busy weekend,» which included the announcement of Critter Cafe at the Wholesome Direct showcase, and a gameplay trailer for DeathSprint 66 and a launch trailer for Still Wakes the Deep at the PC Gaming Show.
Polygon senior reporter Nicole Carpenter said on Twitter that the layoffs may also include the complete closure of development studio Timbre Games. Sumo Group did not reference the studio specifically, but multiple employees of Timbre Games confirmed the closure on LinkedIn.
«This morning, the team at Timbre Games was told the studio would be shut down,» narrative designer Danielle Hunter wrote. «This has come as a shock
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