After securing independence from Sumo Digital, Still Wakes the Deep developer The Chinese Room has confirmed layoffs. Beyond this round, there aren’t any more planned layoffs.
As revealed by Game Developer, a spokesperson revealed that a number of roles were made redundant. A specific number isn’t cited, noting those are confidential, though, the studio now is left with 55 developers.
“Following the divestment process a number of roles were regrettably made redundant. The specifics are confidential but the studio is currently 55 developers. This was a very difficult process as we sought a future for the studio outside of Sumo. No more layoffs are planned as the studio moves forward.”
The layoffs aren’t too shocking as the studio’s independence does come at the price of a level of financial stability as it continues to develop its games. Some roles very well aren’t a necessary part of a smaller studio, so perhaps it was a small round of layoffs to simply keep things churning and smooth enough for any capital it secures to keep its lights on.
