Pinball FX maker Zen Studios latest Embracer company reportedly hit by layoffs
More than 30 employees affected.
UPDATE 1.42pm: Embracer has responded to Eurogamer's request for comment regarding the recent layoffs at Pinball FX maker Zen Studios. You can read its response in full below:
"On the 13th of June, Embracer announced a comprehensive restructuring program for FY 23/24, running until end of March 2024. The program includes a series of initiatives that will focus on cost savings, capital allocation and operational and financial efficiency measures. Part of those initiatives could be the closing of studios and termination of projects. Each process will be managed locally on operative group level with focus on informing affected employees first, and on group level we will not comment on specific studios.
"Embracer will update the market on restructuring program progress on a regular basis, in connection with quarterly reports or otherwise as required by applicable legislation. Our next quarterly report will be published on the 16th of November."
The original story continues below.
ORIGINAL 11.26am: Zen Studios, the team behind the Pinball FX series, is reportedly one of the latest companies to have been hit by layoffs this year.
As shared by Videogamelayoffs (via VGC), an unnamed source from the studio revealed 32 members of staff from the Hungary-based developer had lost their jobs earlier this month.
Zen Studios was one of the many studios acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, when the Swedish video game and media holding company acquired the developer through Saber Interactive.
Eurogamer has asked Embracer for further comment on these reported layoffs, however a representative reiterated to our sister site GamesIndusty.biz its earlier statement about ongoing restructuring. Here, it acknowledged this restructuring at the company will involve "the closing of studios and termination of projects."
Zen Studios is one of many companies that have been hit by Embracer layoffs this year. Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics also saw its numbers cut in September. Meanwhile, in August, Embracer revealed it would be shutting down Saints Row developer Volition Games "effective immediately".
Embracer also previously confirmed it was considering selling Borderlands developer Gearbox as part of its restructuring efforts, and the Embracer-owned Saber Interactive announced it would be halting development on its multiplayer Evil Dead game. This announcement also saw the company state that its planned Switch release of the game had been cancelled entirely.
Outside of Embracer, many other companies have experienced layoffs this year, including the likes of Microsoft, Take-Two, Riot Games, EA and Epic, to name but a handful.