It's the 4th time in 2 years.
Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics, the developer of Tomb Raider, has laid off around 30 people across various departments and projects, months after its March job cut, which affected 17 people. All this is, of course, its attempt to "restructure the company and business for our next generation."
The layoffs should help the company "optimize the continued development of our flagship Tomb Raider game, as well as shaping the rest of the studio to make new games for the future," at least that's what it claims.
"Crystal deeply thanks all of those impacted for their incredible talent, hard work, and dedication, which helped shape the studio in so many ways. We are committed to offering our fullest resources and support to you during this transition," the studio said (via VGC).
This is the 4th round of layoffs at the studio in just 2 years. Some workers were let go in August, soon after the news of the (first) Perfect Dark reboot cancellation. Another wave happened in 2023 as part of internal restructuring.
Crystal Dynamics is a subsidiary of Embracer Group, so the "restructuring" excuse should not surprise anyone. It started the reshaping efforts 2 years ago, closing studios and projects and firing 1,400 in less than a year.
In 2023, its interim chief strategy officer Phil Rogers called mass layoffs "agonising" but "necessary."
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