Right now Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM formally confirmed the cancellation of a venture in growth and the ensuing layoffs of a part of its workforce.
Initially reported as a rumor citing “sources near the matter” by GLHF, the cancellation of the venture, allegedly a standalone enlargement for Disco Elysium, have been confirmed formally to TechRaptor in response to our inquiry with the developer.
We obtained the next official assertion from ZA/UM Studio, mentioning that it is exhausting to let go proficient colleagues and thanking those that have contributed to the corporate’s video games.
As with all studios, we adapt the dimensions of our workforce to the work underway, rising after we begin a brand new venture and shrinking if one is cancelled. It’s at all times exhausting to lose proficient colleagues, and we thank these leaving for his or her many contributions to ZA/UM.
The studio additionally shared the memo that CEO Ilmar Kompus despatched to the workers, warning them of the cancellation of the venture, code-named X7, and of the upcoming layoffs.
We additionally hear that the studio nonetheless has two video games in growth and that the layoffs will have an effect on each builders and non-development personnel, and certain will not be restricted to individuals engaged on the canceled venture.
Pricey all,
Regardless of concerted efforts over the previous eight months by our administration workforce and the X7 disciplines, following session with our administration workforce, I’ve taken the tough determination to cancel X7. This determination, in contrast to the pause on Challenge P1, will sadly almost definitely result in redundancies inside our studio.
With the cancellation of X7 we’re proposing to reshape our workforce to help our two remaining video games. This adjustment will nearly definitely result in redundancies, largely affecting the X7 workforce but in addition our non-development groups and non-X7 tasks.
We’re approaching this delicate situation with the utmost care and respect. We will likely be initiating a proper redundancy session process with workers of Zaum Studio Restricted who’re prone to redundancy, in accordance with UK legislation. Should you’re one in every of these workers, you’ll very shortly obtain a Slack message, e mail, and a calendar invite for a gathering together with your Lead and HR to debate the following steps. Any particular person whose position is affected, however who will not be employed by Zaum Studio Restricted, for instance these employed by Deel or in our different EU places, will likely be contacted individually in regards to the process that will likely be adopted. Throughout this transition interval, let’s preserve professionalism and help one another, upholding our studio values.
The preliminary report alleged that round 24 workers are prone to redundancy.
Should you’re unfamiliar with ZA/UM, the developer is understood largely for Disco Elysium, a critically acclaimed RPG launched in 2019 that has been outlined by many as among the finest of all time. If you wish to be taught extra, about it, you possibly can learn our enthusiastic evaluate that awarded it with a 9 out of 10.
This newest wave of layoffs is an element of a bigger business development that has surfaced between the second half of 2023 and the start of 2024, affecting many firms like Sony, Microsoft, Bungie, 2K Video games, Epic Video games, Tencent, Amazon, Frontier, Team17, Folks can Fly, and extra, on prime of a number of of Embracer’s studios.
