Summary
Adding to the onslaught of industry layoffs, a number of staff from the development studio behind the 2024 remake ofUntil Dawnhave revealed that they are looking for work after being made “redundant.” TheUntil Dawnremake is set to launch October 4, but team members from Ballistic Moon will no longer be with the studio to celebrate the big release.
Starting in 2023, the video game industry has been in a turbulent state of almost constant workforce reductions, budget cuts, and studio shutdowns, leaving thousands without work. Big name companies like Microsoft, Sony, andEmbracer Group announced massive layoffs, with both AAA and indie developers caught in the crosshairs. With many still reeling from other recent shutdown news, it would seemUntil Dawn’s development team is also facing the chopping block.
As reported byEurogamer, Ballistic Moon has seen at least a dozen members of its team abruptly announcing that they are “open to work” after their positions at the studio have been made redundant. While it has not been explicitly stated exactly how many Ballistic Moon staffers have been laid off, many have been shocked to see these unfortunate announcements coming just one month before the big launch of theUntil Dawnremake. The original launch of the game was met with massive success, with audiences and critics alike praising the engaging choice mechanics, terrifying atmosphere, impressive graphics, andmultiple endings ofUntil Dawn. Fans have been excitedly awaiting the release of the remake, but spirits have been dampened following the revelation of the Ballistic Moon staff layoffs.
Until Dawn Remake Developer Loses Over A Dozen Staff
As has been the case with other unexpected workforce restructurings, audiences have been baffled by staff being let go from a development team so close to a major launch. The recentclosure ofVisions of Manadeveloper Ouka Studiosin the same week as the game’s release left many shocked, and fans now worry that theUntil Dawnlayoffs are continuing this pattern of employees being let go as soon as a game’s development is finished. While it is not entirely uncommon for staff to be hired on time-sensitive contracts that inevitably become redundant, the consistency with which these layoffs have occurred across dozens of companies may indicate larger problems plaguing the video game industry as a whole.
Analysts have continued to debate whether these major workforce shake-ups are absolutely necessary or if other solutions may have better solved the issues faced by companies big and small. Former Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime is optimistic about thefuture of the gaming industry, though others remain fearful that a recovery may still be too far away. As fans prepare for the release ofUntil Dawn, many are sharing words of sympathy and support for the Ballistic Moon team.
Until Dawn
WHERE TO PLAY
When eight friends return to the isolated lodge where two of their group vanished a year prior, fear tightens its icy grip, and their mountain retreat descends into a nightmare with no escape. Face your fears and determine who survives Until Dawn in this seminal horror classic, rebuilt and enhanced for PC.Cult horror rebuilt: Immerse yourself in a gripping slasher horror rebuilt from the ground up with stunning visuals in Unreal Engine 5. Enhanced by movie-like cinematography, refined gameplay mechanics and more, venture into a thrilling exploration of an isolated mountain where nothing is as it seems.Their fate in your hands: Create your own gripping tale as you control a group of unique characters portrayed by an all-star cast, including Hayden Panettiere, Brett Dalton, and more, and decide their fate through your choices. Through dynamic animations and nuanced facial-capture performances, learn what makes each character tick, and who among the group has what it takes to survive.Terror never looked so good: Explore a rich and detailed environment that will leave you breathless with every step. With new visual enhancements for PC, the original game has been rebuilt from the ground up – utilizing cutting-edge visual technology to bring the nightmare to life.Rebuilt for a new generation: Discover new collectibles, all-new environments to investigate, and re-cut narrative sequences that deepen the mystery further. Get closer to the action with an all-new, immersive third-person camera, and enjoy a brand-new musical score and reauthored audio that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the journey.
