- Black Forest Games is working on Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
- 50% of the studio’s team has just been laid off.
- Managers and Creative Directors have retained their positions.
Last year, a report revealed a brand new Ninja Turtles game based on the story of The Last Ronin. This story follows the last surviving turtle after the aftermath of various horrible events, slowly unfolding a dark narrative for readers.
The game was said to take cues from God of War for a faithful adaptation, but the development of Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is already running into hurdles. Following layoffs at companies like Riot Games, Black Forest Games has cut its staff by 50%.
Why it matters: Less than thirty days into 2024, thousands of gaming industry professionals have been laid off.
This information comes from Kotaku, which confirms around 55 employees have lost their jobs at Black Forest Games. By the end of 2023, this studio employed 110 developers, confidently adapting this popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story.
While The Last Ronin just began development and is still several years away, problems so soon into pre-production might not be the best sign. In the worst-case scenario, the game could be permanently canceled.
According to sources, Black Forest Games’ managers have retained their positions. The Creative Directors have also stayed at the studio, leading to hopes that Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin’s development will not be impacted too much.
Despite such a massive blow to the studio, most employees have yet to publicly comment on the situation. Still, with at least one or two social media posts, this report has been confirmed.
In the past, Black Forest Games has delivered games in the famous Destroy All Humans! series, selling millions of copies.
The developer, like many other studios, falls under the Embracer Group umbrella. This company has been notorious for its recent layoffs, best highlighted by its decision to shut down Volition Games last year after Saints Row failed to deliver.
The team’s latest project is expected to be its most ambitious. Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin seeks to capitalize on the excitement around narrative stories that present a mature tone, using the likes of God of War as inspiration.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
