The Canadian game development studio Reflector, known for its work on Unknown 9: Awakening, has announced a significant restructuring of its workforce, resulting in a reduction of approximately 18 percent of its staff. This decision, confirmed through a post on the company’s website, follows earlier reports from Kotaku’s Ethan Gach regarding the layoffs.
Strategic Transition
Reflector emphasized that these layoffs are not a response to external pressures or commercial challenges. Instead, they represent a strategic shift in the studio’s approach to game development. The company stated, “The changes resulting from this transition are necessary for us to efficiently deliver on our most pressing objectives while guaranteeing that every member of our team can meaningfully contribute to our ongoing projects.”
With the recent launch of Unknown 9: Awakening and the early stages of development for two key production lines, Reflector aims to streamline its workforce to ensure that remaining team members are aligned with the skills needed for active projects. The company noted, “As such, we are reducing our team by approximately 18 percent of Reflector’s total workforce, a decision that impacts people who aren’t assigned to roles that our active projects require.”
Reflector further articulated its commitment to refining processes and enhancing the quality of future projects. “This shift will allow us to take the necessary time to refine our processes and perfect our upcoming projects so that we can deliver experiences that are both meaningful and memorable for players,” the post continued.
While acknowledging the difficulties inherent in such transitions, Reflector expressed a commitment to learning from its experiences. “Change is never easy, but it allows for meaningful reflection. We’ve learned a lot from our journey so far, including the challenges that come with growth. As we move forward, we are committed to applying these lessons to build a stronger, more focused future.”
