tomb Raider Developer Crystal Dynamics has announced another round of layoffs, the third round of job cuts this year. The studio says that “just under 30 team members from various departments and projects” are losing their livelihoods, and claims that this is necessary “to optimize the ongoing development of our flagship Tomb Raider game, as well as to shape the rest of the studio to create new games for the future.”
This year alone, Crystal Dynamics has already laid off employees in two waves: 17 employees were laid off. release in March and an indefinite number of others handed marching orders in August.
As in that August round, the latest layoffs were announced via Post on LinkedIn. “We have parted ways with just under 30 team members across various departments and projects as we restructure the company and business for our next generation,” the studio wrote. “Crystal deeply thanks all those affected for their incredible talent, hard work and dedication, which have helped shape the studio in so many ways. We are committed to offering you all of our resources and support during this transition.”
“We made this painful choice to optimize the continued development of our flagship Tomb Raider game, while also preparing the rest of the studio to create new games in the future,” they added.
While the main animator Shamil Rasizade and producer Samantha Dobs wrote on LinkedIn that they were laid off as part of these cuts. “It's been a fun 12 years and I'll miss everyone so much. But I guess it's time to join the army of unemployed game developers. You know how it is these days. If you hear anything please let me know,” the first one wrote.
Solidarity and good luck to everyone affected by these layoffs.
