Unity, a gaming company, just dropped a bombshell – they’re slashing 1,800 jobs, which is a whopping 25% of their crew. This isn’t their first rodeo; they’ve been doing these layoff rounds, and now it’s hit a new high.
Why? They say it’s all about reworking and honing in on their core business for that sweet, sweet long-term success.
But, here’s the kicker – Unity can’t exactly nail down the costs of this massive chop, though they’re pretty sure it’s going down hard in the first quarter of 2024. The bill? It’s going to play a symphony of cash going towards employee transitions, severance, and benefits.
Now, rewind a bit. Unity’s been on a bit of a layoff spree, hitting 265 employees back in November. Seems like they’re not playing around with their employee headcount.
Zoom out. It’s not just Unity feeling the burn; the gaming industry at large has been sweating. In 2023 alone, 9,000 global employees felt the layoff axe.
Epic Games, the wizard behind Fortnite, dropped a bomb too – 16% of their team, nearly 870 folks, got the boot. Ouch.
Ubisoft, the brains behind Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, decided to slim down too. In November, 124 of their crew found themselves out of a job thanks to some corporate shuffling.
It’s not a Unity-exclusive issue. Embracer Group is out here making headlines with their shopping spree, grabbing gaming studios, media companies, and The Lord of the Rings IP rights. EA, the big player, didn’t escape unscathed, axing 780 souls – that’s 6% of their workforce.
Let’s face it. The gaming industry is throwing punches, and Unity is just one contender in the ring. Layoffs are like the industry’s theme of the year.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Unity’s cut is not a solo act. The industry’s vibe is uncertain, with big players and indie studios alike feeling the pressure.
And here we are, watching the gaming world reshuffle its deck. What’s next? Your guess is as good as ours. But, one thing’s for sure – the game is far from over.