Summary

• Playtonic explains layoffs are due to industry challenges and expresses gratitude for departing employees’ contributions.
• Layoffs at Playtonic reflect a wider trend in the gaming industry, with multiple studios facing similar issues.

Playtonic has outlined its decision to reduce its workforce after several reports emerged about layoffs. Founded in 2014, Playtonic is a British game studio established by developers who previously contributed to games like Donkey Kong Country and the Banjo-Kazooie series.

Over the last decade, Playtonic has achieved significant milestones, including creating original intellectual property and launching an in-house publishing unit. Notably, the studio gained fame for the Yooka-Laylee platform games that debuted in 2017, thanks to a highly successful crowdfunding effort. In 2021, Playtonic expanded further with the establishment of Playtonic Friends and welcomed Tencent as a minority investor. Despite these positive developments, the studio is currently facing difficulties, as highlighted in its official statement regarding the job reductions.

In a social media announcement, Playtonic acknowledged that it had to let go of “some” employees, which corroborates earlier news on layoffs impacting the Yooka-Laylee studio. This decision was reportedly a response to the “knock-on effects” of an unstable industry climate, characterized by widespread job losses. The studio emphasized that the decision was heart-wrenching and made only after all other options were considered. It noted that the departing staff had significantly influenced the company’s culture, games, and overall vision. Highlighting the current tumultuous phase of the gaming sector, Playtonic described the period as one of “profound change” and confirmed its commitment to support the laid-off employees in navigating their next steps.