Game Over for Some: IllFonic Layoffs Shake the Industry

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen the ebb and flow of the gaming industry like the tides of time itself. The recent news about IllFonic and other studios facing layoffs is disheartening, to say the least. It feels like we’re losing pieces of our collective gaming history with each passing day.

IllFonic, recognized for titles such as ‘Friday the 13th: The Game’ and ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game,’ has recently undergone staff reductions. CEO and co-founder Charles Brungardt announced this on social media, attributing it to the challenges in the gaming industry. He explained that tough decisions were necessary to adjust their teams according to a revised strategy.

It’s not clear how many employees were impacted, but as of October 2024, IllFonic was estimated to have around 96 staff members, based on LeadIQ data. Brungardt encouraged other companies with vacancies to connect and assist those who had been let go in finding new job opportunities.

Apart from crafting their own game titles, IllFonic has lent its hand in projects such as ‘Crysis 3’ and ‘Star Citizen.’ Noteworthy is that the studio responsible for ‘Star Citizen,’ Cloud Imperium Games, has recently made job cuts.

An update from IllFonic.

— IllFonic (@IllFonic) December 4, 2024

The latest news contributes to an increasing tally of job losses in the gaming sector. It’s been estimated that around 14,600 positions have disappeared from over 170 businesses this year alone, with some speculating the true figure could exceed 16,000 when unpublicized layoffs are taken into account.

Difficult circumstances are hitting the gaming sector hard, forcing numerous businesses to make tough choices. Here’s wishing a swift recovery of employment for those impacted by these job cuts.

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2024-12-05 05:43