Virtuos, Major Game Developer, Announces Layoffs

So, here’s the scoop. Virtuos, a name some might know, is cutting staff. Yep, the news slipped out through French journalist Gauthier Andres on BlueSky. He mentioned about, what, seven percent of their workforce being let go? That’s around 300 folks, if I’m remembering right.

But then, Virtuos went ahead and confirmed it. They said about 200 roles are getting the boot in Asia, 70 or so more in Europe, and yeah, fewer than ten in France. Funny how we say “fewer than ten” like it softens the blow.

Anyway, the company claims this move is all about adapting or whatever. Something about keeping up with “changing needs” in the industry. You know how game development’s not simple anymore. They’re tweaking their operations to zero in on high-value stuff — like fancy art and engineering — and some live services sprinkled in.

The nice bit? They’re offering impacted staff some separation pay. Plus, there’s help for those looking to land elsewhere, maybe even within Virtuos itself. So, tiny silver linings, I guess?

For those who might not be so in-the-know, Virtuos has left its mark on The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered earlier this year. They’ve got their fingers all over upcoming titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater too. Oh, and they’ve poked around in Dune: Awakening, Cyberpunk 2077, and Sea of Thieves. Quite the portfolio, I’d say.

And, can we talk about the trend here? Virtuos isn’t alone; it’s part of a bigger wave of industry layoffs. Just recently, Microsoft had their own cuts — the fourth time in 18 months. Makes you wonder, what’s really going on behind the scenes?