Telltale Games is the latest developer to be struck by mass layoffs
Telltale Games is the latest in a long line of gaming companies casting to be hit by layoffs, as the future of the 'point and click' developer remains uncertain.
06th Oct 2023 16:50
Images via Telltale Games
Telltale Games is the latest developer to be struck by mass layoffs
Telltale Games is the latest in a long line of gaming companies casting to be hit by layoffs, as the future of the 'point and click' developer remains uncertain.
06th Oct 2023 16:50
Images via Telltale Games
The gaming industry has suffered in 2023. Huge companies have been laying off masses of developers in cost-saving measures, favouring the maintenance of profits over the many people who rely on them to feed themselves and their families.
Bungie has done it, SEGA did it after shelling out $775 for Angry Birds team Rovio, and even Epic Games (the giants behind Fortnite), has dropped hundreds of employees to save its own back.
It's pretty disturbing to see that those who created the games we love are being kicked to the curb by their companies, but such is the way of the world right now. Unfortunately, another beloved gaming team is shelling workers.
Telltale Games lays off 'most of' its team
Speaking on Twitter, ex-Telltale employee Jonah Huang revealed that layoffs behind the scenes at the company that made The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us were pretty rough, claiming that the team "laid most of [the team] off early September."
"I signed an agreement not to cause any harm to Telltale's business as part of my severance package," he adds. "But I am legally allowed to speak on behalf of being laid off, and this statement of fact is sincerely not an attempt to cause harm or ruination to the company."
Telltale's layoffs came weeks after an acquisition
Much like SEGA's poorly timed layoffs, Huang claims that the team was laid off by Telltale were let go not long after the company had purchased UK-based studio Flavourworks. Huang had worked at Telltale in its original iteration, which was originally shuttered in 2018, and the revived one.
Responding to a request from Eurogamer, Telltale claimed the losses are "due to current market conditions." Telltale reiterated it didn't take the action lightly and added, "Our commitment to storytelling and finding new ways to do so remains the same. We are grateful to everyone for their dedication along this journey, and we are working to support everyone impacted."
Securing its future, Telltale said "all projects currently in development are still in production," which is good news for The Wolf Among Us 2. Though Huang can't comment on its impact on the layoffs, it seems pretty clear to the public. It's sad again for more talented devs to be cast out.
About The Author
Joseph Kime
Joseph Kime is the Senior Trending News Journalist for GGRecon from Devon, UK. Before graduating from MarJon University with a degree in Journalism, he started writing music reviews for his own website before writing for the likes of FANDOM, Zavvi and The Digital Fix. He is host of the Big Screen Book Club podcast, and author of Building A Universe, a book that chronicles the history of superhero movies. His favourite games include DOOM (2016), Celeste and Pokemon Emerald.
