Tomb Raider Developer Crystal Dynamics Is The Latest Studio To Face Layoffs

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Was Previously Promised To Be Sheltered From Embracer Groups' Layoffs!

Story Highlight
  • 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.

crystal dynamics layoff
Crystal Dynamics Being Hit With A Layoff || Source: X

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. 

We've seen too many layoffs lately (Image by Tech4Gamers)
The Gaming Industry Will Be Hit With A Huge Wave Of Layoffs Soon

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.

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know in the comments below or head towards the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

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