Tencent's Lightspeed LA studio has laid off 80 developers from Last Sentinel, a cyberpunk open-world game positioned as a Grand Theft Auto competitor. The project has burned through six years and hundreds of millions of dollars with little to show for it. Bloomberg reports the studio still cannot define a clear direction for the game.
Lightspeed LA has announced a major creative shift for its narrative-driven open-world action game Last Sentinel, resulting in staff layoffs. The studio confirmed the decision came after extensive internal reviews and play-testing showed early impressions fell short of expectations, though development continues with no release date announced.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has sold 3.5 million copies in its first 14 days, exceeding Ubisoft's annual expectations for the remake. The strong launch comes as the publisher reports a 9% year-on-year decline in net bookings and confirms a third round of layoffs affecting 380 employees across its studios.
Bungie has confirmed that the game director for its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon has left the studio. The departure arrives during a turbulent period marked by layoffs and leadership changes at the PlayStation-owned developer. Players waiting for the sci-fi revival will now watch closely for signs of how this shift impacts the project's trajectory.
Outer Worlds 2 director Eric Barone addresses the recent Xbox layoffs, reassuring fans about the game's development status. He dispels misinformation circulating online, confirming the project's ongoing progress. The game remains on track despite the industry upheaval.
Obsidian Entertainment's Game Director Brandon Adler responds to community concerns that the studio has lost its original talent and identity following recent layoffs and announcements, including a new Fallout project. Adler emphasizes the studio's consistent DNA from Knights of the Old Republic 2 to current games. The comments come as Obsidian navigates mixed reactions to its involvement in a new Fallout game, headed by Josh Sawyer, amidst thousands of layoffs across Xbox's restructured gaming divisions.
Obsidian Entertainment, fresh from releasing Avowed, Grounded 2 (Early Access), and The Outer Worlds 2, addresses the aftermath of Microsoft's 1,600-strong gaming division layoffs, which saw 50 staff cut from the studio. Despite halted Avowed sequel plans in favor of a new Fallout game under Josh Sawyer's leadership, the studio pushes back against claims of a changed identity. Game Director Adler defends Obsidian's "DNA," emphasizing continuity despite external speculation.
Microsoft has dismissed allegations that the denial of foreign worker visas prompted the recent wave of layoffs affecting Xbox teams. The company asserts that visa issues were not a factor in its decision-making process. This clarification comes amid concerns over the impact of visa policies on the tech and gaming industries.
Sony has settled a $200 million lawsuit with Christopher Barrett, the original game director of Marathon, adding his name to the game's credits. The settlement comes as Bungie faces significant financial and staffing challenges, including a $765 million impairment loss for Sony and nearly 300 recent layoffs. Marathon, with a budget over $250 million, has also struggled to attract players.
The Elder Scrolls 6, awaited for over eight years, faces potential delays and development issues due to significant Xbox layoffs affecting Bethesda. Over 50 key Bethesda staff, including veterans, have been let go, sparking fears of replaced talent with cheaper contractors and increased crunch. The game's release, already at least two years away, may suffer further setbacks.
