Co-development powerhouse Virtuos has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, a move that has been confirmed following initial reports by French journalist Gauthier Andres on BlueSky. The company is set to trim approximately seven percent of its staff, translating to around 300 positions. This decision reflects a strategic shift in response to the evolving demands of both partners and the gaming industry at large.
Details of the Layoffs
Virtuos has specified that the layoffs will predominantly affect its Asian operations, with 200 employees facing redundancy. Additionally, 70 roles across Europe will be impacted, while fewer than ten positions in France are also included in this restructuring effort.
The company articulated that this decision is aimed at realigning its global capabilities to enhance its offerings in high-value co-development. As the landscape of game development becomes increasingly intricate, Virtuos is focusing on strengthening its services, which encompass full game engineering, advanced art production, creative content generation, and live services.
In a show of support for those affected, Virtuos has committed to providing separation pay, assistance in job placement, and opportunities for impacted employees to explore other roles within its global network.
Virtuos has garnered recognition for its contributions to notable titles, including the recently released The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The company has also played a role in the development of popular games such as Dune: Awakening, Cyberpunk 2077, and Sea of Thieves.
This announcement comes amid a broader trend of job cuts within the gaming industry, with Microsoft recently executing its fourth round of layoffs in just 18 months, highlighting the challenges facing companies in this dynamic sector.
