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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

The studio suffered layoffs and project cancellations last May, with an engineer claiming at the time that “about 140” employees had been impacted.

Now a second round of layoffs has been announced, with Phoenix Labs confirming that most of its staff is being let go.

“Today is another difficult day at Phoenix Labs,” a statement reads. “We have made the tough decision to part ways with the majority of the studio as part of unfortunate but necessary changes to our operations.

“We recognize and deeply appreciate the contribution of every individual impacted. Their talent, dedication, and creativity have left an indelible mark on our company and our games.”

Phoenix Labs says it will update players on what the layoffs mean for the future of Fae Farm and Dauntless. “For now, our focus is on supporting those affected through this transition”, it says.


“To our industry peers, we encourage you to reach out to these exceptional individuals – they are some of the best in the business.”

Formed in 2014 by a trio of ex-Riot Games developers, Phoenix Labs has released two titles to date – 2019’s massively multiplayer RPG Dauntless and last year’s cozy farm-sim RPG Fae Farm, both of which were generally well received by critics.

According to its website, it did have “several new projects in development spanning a wide range of styles and genres-fantasy, sci-f, action, strategy, and everything in between”.

Dauntless and Fae Farm studio Phoenix Labs is laying off the ‘majority’ of its staff | VGC

Phoenix Labs says it will share what will happen to Dauntless and Fae Farms in the coming weeks…

www.videogameschronicle.com

 

[mdkirby]

It’s pretty relentless. Has anyone done an industry total size comparison of all studios between two years ago and today?

Feels like a sizable contraction with no obvious place to relocate staff, unless new studios have been forming to offset the losses.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

American and Canadian industry crash continues unabated.

 

[Gonzito]

What a coincidence that all these layoffs in the industry are happening exactly at the right rime just when DEI has reached his crashing point

 

[Roman Empire]

It was a matter of time. Dauntless has been slowly dying for the 2+ years or so. Their latest update was just the nail that hit the coffin.

 

[Hookshot]

I remember Fae Farm being advertised a lot in gaming shows which can't have been cheap, but I never heard anyone actually discuss it.

 

[Mikado]

It was a matter of time. Dauntless has been slowly dying for the 2+ years or so. Their latest update was just the nail that hit the coffin.

I imagine it was pretty much doomed as soon as Capcom realized the PC exists.

Dauntless always seemed like a "We Have Monhun At Home" option - no need for it with the OG Monster Hunter available.

 

[Darchaos]

This was truly a Lidl version of a good game.

 

[Roman Empire]

I imagine it was pretty much doomed as soon as Capcom realized the PC exists.

Dauntless always seemed like a "We Have Monhun At Home" option - no need for it with the OG Monster Hunter available.

The most underwhelming aspect of Dauntless from day 1 was the art style. It was not a bad Monster Hunter-esque game at the start but a lot of people, Monster Hunter fans included, never gave it a try as it looked way too cartoony for a hunting game. It was never competing with Monster Hunter as it never had a chance to begin with.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

What a coincidence that all these layoffs in the industry are happening exactly at the right rime just when DEI has reached his crashing point

DEI investments hurts everyone.