Downsizing Continues At Embracer As Insurgency: Sandstorm Studio Lays Off Employees
Another Embracer Group studio has been caught in the backblast of its failed $2 billion deal as Saber Interactive announces layoffs and restructuring at its subsidiary, New World Interactive.
The studio is best known as the developer of multiplayer shooter Insurgency: Sandstorm and was initially rumored to be shutting down. Saber Interactive has denied the rumors alongside the layoff announcement.
“Saber can confirm there have been restructuring changes involving our New World Interactive subsidiary,” a Saber Interactive representative told PC Gamer. “This reorganization has unfortunately resulted in layoffs at the studio. We are working to fill existing open roles within Saber with individuals affected by these changes wherever feasible and we will be providing severance packages to those employees impacted.”
The representative further confirmed that development on Insurgency: Sandstorm and unannounced projects in the pipeline will continue. The number of affected employees wasn’t disclosed. As of this writing, Embracer Group has laid off over 900 employees across multiple studios just in the latter half of the year.
2023 hasn’t been good to the video games industry, with thousands of employees losing their jobs over the past year as the pandemic boom winds down and revenues begin to flatline or drop. Even the mighty Electronic Arts succumbed to the financial pressure, announcing layoffs at F1 studio Codemasters earlier this week.
