Recently, the development studio Deck Nine, known for their work on the Life is Strange series and The Expanse: A Telltale Series, announced that they were laying off 20% of their staff. This decision was attributed to the worsening market conditions in the game industry. This is not the first time that Deck Nine has had to make such cuts, with a previous wave of layoffs occurring just 12 months ago.
Deck Nine took over the development of the Life is Strange series from Dontnod, starting with the Chloe-focused prequel Before the Storm. They continued to expand the franchise by introducing a new protagonist, Alex Chen, in True Colors. Additionally, they revisited the original Life is Strange and Before the Storm with the Remastered Collection. Deck Nine also collaborated with Telltale Games on an episodic game based on the novel series-turned-TV show The Expanse.
The Human Cost of Layoffs
Despite efforts to minimize job cuts, including leadership taking pay cuts themselves, Deck Nine still had to let go of a significant portion of their team. The studio acknowledged the talent and contributions of the developers affected by the layoffs, urging others in the industry to consider hiring them. Game director Stephan Frost expressed his disappointment in the situation, highlighting the strength of the team that had been built at Deck Nine.
The layoffs at Deck Nine are reflective of broader challenges facing the gaming industry, with talent being continuously impacted by market shifts. This is not isolated to Deck Nine, as other studios, including the newly revived Telltale Games, have also faced layoffs in recent years. The industry as a whole is grappling with the implications of these job cuts on both individuals and the creative output of game development teams.
The recent layoffs at Deck Nine serve as a reminder of the precarious nature of employment in the gaming industry. The human cost of these decisions cannot be understated, as talented individuals find themselves facing uncertainty in a competitive and rapidly changing landscape. As players, it’s important to recognize and support the people behind the games we love, and advocate for better working conditions in the industry.
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