Until Dawn was remade for the PlayStation 5 and PC by Ballistic Moon, who also laid off many employees.
Eleven Ballistic Moon devs have now either written about being made redundant or designated themselves as “open to work” and looking to start somewhere new immediately. Originally, Eurogamer reported that at least two team members had announced their departure on LinkedIn.
Although it’s unknown how many employees were let off or if there were more than 11, Gamexta has contacted Ballistic Moon for an explanation.
“Like many others in this wonderful but turbulent industry, I am sadly being made redundant from my role,” Cassy Cornish, a junior game designer, wrote on LinkedIn. Game programmer Stuart Campbell stated in another interview, “Unfortunately, my current role at Ballistic Moon is being made redundant, so I’m looking for new opportunities.”
Numerous layoffs have occurred in the video game business over the last two years as major corporations like Microsoft, Sony, and the struggling Embracer Group have closed down entire studios in addition to reducing employment.
In May 2024, Microsoft closed down Ghostwire Tokyo creator Tango Gameworks and Redfall developer Arkane Austin. Fans and industry colleagues were shocked by this decision.
In 2023, the Saints Row developer Volition was shut down by Embracer Group, while in March 2024, Sony closed its London Studio due to layoffs that affected 900 employees throughout the PlayStation division. The majority of Ouka Studios‘ employees have been let go by Chinese video game producer NetEase, which also intended to close the Visions of Mana development studio.
