Blackbird Interactive, the developer behind Homeworld 3, introduced immediately that it has laid off greater than 40 staff after a number of of its upcoming tasks have been canceled.
The information was first made public on LinkedIn (noticed first by X consumer @bogorad222) by James Marshall, who’s a Technical Artist at Blackbird Interactive. Marshall famous that over 40 individuals had been laid off, and IGN may independently affirm that 41 staff had been let go by the studio.
In an announcement despatched to IGN, a spokesperson for Blackbird Interactive confirmed the studio had layoffs and that 41 staff had been impacted.
“We have needed to take the unlucky step of shedding some associates this week. This yr has been extremely powerful on the business as an entire. Consequently, we have had a number of unannounced tasks canceled and yesterday had been compelled to say goodbye to 41 of our group members. As an unbiased studio, Blackbird Interactive has all the time been a close-knit group. Our prime precedence helps place these affected for this subsequent stage of their careers. We’re providing a collection of prolonged advantages and severance to assist ease this transition. No introduced tasks might be affected by this transfer, and we’ll proceed to ship on these video games.”
Blackbird Interactive was based in 2007. As famous on GamesIndustry.biz’s web site, Blackbird was based by senior members who beforehand labored for EA and Relic Leisure, the latter of which developed the primary two video games within the Homeworld franchise. The studio can be one in every of a handful of builders that has carried out a four-day work week, which it went into impact final yr.
Blackbird Interactive has labored on a number of tasks with its first sport, titled Homeworld: Deserts of Kaharak, launched in 2016. The studio additionally helped Minecraft developer Mojang Studios co-develop Minecraft Legends. Blackbird is presently engaged on Homeworld 3, which is ready to launch subsequent yr on PC. Moreover, Blackbird is engaged on Earthless, a sci-fi-themed card sport introduced in June, that might be printed by Team17 and is ready to launch in Steam Early Entry someday subsequent yr.
Blackbird Interactive is one in every of a number of studios to have been hit with layoffs this yr. Different studios hit with layoffs embody The Callisto Protocol developer Hanging Distance Studios, Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Pink, and Embracer Group-owned Campfire Cabal.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You may comply with her on Twitter @TayNixster.