Crystal Dynamics, a company developing a new Tomb Raider installment and co-developing the Perfect Dark reboot, has made the challenging choice to lay off 17 employees. They communicated in a message:

“This morning, Crystal Dynamics made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by 17 talented team members. We did not make this decision lightly. Ultimately, this step was necessary to better align our current business needs and the studio’s future success. It is not a reflection of the dedication or ability of those affected.”

The past five years have posed significant challenges for the studio, particularly following the disappointing performance of its last major project, Marvel’s Avengers, released in 2020. Crystal Dynamics was also acquired by Embracer Group in 2022, a move that allowed the studio to regain rights to the Tomb Raider franchise but coincided with the turbulent financial situations of various studios.

Many layoffs currently occurring in the gaming industry affect large numbers of employees, though this round at Crystal Dynamics, while substantial for those involved, is relatively minor overall. The studio is confident that these layoffs will not interfere with its ongoing project timelines.