- Crystal Dynamics has just laid off 17 employees.
- Amazon previously stated that the studio would be sheltered from Embracer Group’s layoffs.
- Regardless, the studio claims that this change won’t affect their plans for their projects.
Being profitable or suffering from losses doesn’t mean anything since almost every studio in the gaming industry is currently prone to layoffs.
Crystal Dynamics, which is known for developing the Tomb Raider games and the infamous Marvel’s Avengers, is the latest studio to cut down its workforce.
Why it matters: Layoffs are never a good sign for studios as they can substantially alter and affect a video game’s development. Sometimes, they can even result in game cancelations.
Announced via social media, Crystal Dynamics is letting go of 17 members from its workforce. The studio is estimated to employ approximately more than 250 people in its three offices across the US.
However, they also stated that this change wouldn’t alter their current project plans.
While still a relatively small number, the 17 employees’ layoffs were most probably to cut down their operating costs. The developers haven’t released an AAA game since 2020’s Marvel’s Avengers, which was an utter disappointment and a commercial failure.
Embracers Group acquired Crystal Dynamics in 2022 along with the Tomb Raider IP, and they’re currently developing the next game in the franchise.
Moreover, the next Tomb Raider game is also being developed alongside Amazon, which is collaborating on the project. Amazon will publish and fund the game globally.
In 2024, Embracer Group laid off 8,000 members across several studios, but the Amazon Games Studio Head ensured that Crystal Dynamics would be sheltered by these practices. However, his words haven’t aged that well.
In addition, the studio is working as a support team on Perfect Dark, the reboot of the classic agent series.
Even if the studio’s own words imply that the layoffs won’t affect their projects, the long-run plans may be altered as they always have been, given the industry’s history of layoffs.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheerzahid03@gmail.com
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