Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition developer Beamdog is the latest studio to be hit by the layoffs.
- Embracer Group’s ongoing restructuring has resulted in layoffs at another studio, Beamdog, known for its work on titles like Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition.
- A total of 26 staff members at Beamdog have been affected by the job cuts, just days after the release of their co-op shooter, Mythforce.
- Embracer Group’s restructuring, triggered by a failed deal with Savvy Games Group, has led to layoffs and studio closures, including long-time developer Volition. Despite this, CEO Lars Wingefors remains optimistic about the company’s potential.
Embracer Group is still in the process of reorganizing the entire organization. Following several layoffs at Crystal Dynamics, the publisher has made the decision to eliminate even more positions at a different firm.
The most recent studio owned by the Embracer Group to experience layoffs is Beamdog. It has been rumored that the developer of Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is firing 26 employees. Only a few days have passed since Beamdog unveiled Mythforce, a brand-new cooperative shooter.
Owned by The Embracer Group Just eighteen months ago, Aspyr paid an undisclosed amount to buy Beamdog. Former BioWareleads Trent Oster and Cameron Tofer formed the studio. The re-release of role-playing games such as Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, Neverwinter Nights, and Icewind Dale has made the studio most well-known. Along with the transaction, Aspyr was granted publishing rights for Mythforce.
Jill Hollet, an associate graphic artist, revealed on LinkedIn that she was one of the 26 workers impacted by the layoffs. “I regret to inform you that Beamdog, as part of the Embracer Group’s continuing restructuring plan, has decided to let go of 26 employees, including myself. Their generosity in granting me the chance to start my career in the field is greatly appreciated. Being able to work with such remarkable people during my time there has been an honor.”
Back in June, the Embracer Group declared that it will be going through an all-encompassing reorganization that would involve firing employees, closing a portion of its 138 studios, and shelving upcoming projects. After a $2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group collapsed, there was a revamp. The deal’s aftermath resulted in a 40% decline in Embracer’s stock price.
Embracer declared in August that Volition, a longtime Saints Row developer, is closing. Game giant also contemplated selling off Gearbox, the studio behind Borderlands. Take-Two Interactive is reportedly planning to purchase Gearbox from the Embracer Group.
Embracer also closed down Campfire Cabal, one of the new studios under the conglomerate. Numerous job losses have also occurred at several studios. Maybe until the end of the year, there will be layoffs.
Even with the layoffs and closing of studios, Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors is optimistic about the company’s future. Wingefors stated, “As a group, we are now launching a number of initiatives to boost our cash flow generation and leverage our portfolio of intellectual property to grow as a business and embark on a stable future to create even better games for players and fans worldwide.”