Naughty Dog Layoffs 2023: More bad news in the horizon reports suggest that Layoffs are anticipated at Naught Dogs soon after Epic Games slashed jobs across teams in September 2023.
The gaming community has been buzzing in recent weeks with word of layoffs at Naughty Dog, one of the industry’s leading game development teams. Known for blockbuster titles like “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted,” Naughty Dog has reportedly laid off around 25 contracted developers, affecting multiple departments within the company. This article aims to delve into the details surrounding the Naughty Dog layoffs and what it means for the future of the studio and the gaming industry at large.
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Naughty Dog Layoffs what is the extent of it ?
According to reports, Naughty Dog’s layoffs have mostly impacted the quality assurance, art, and production departments. Various publications, including The Verge and MSN, claim that the layoffs have halted some of the studio’s development projects.
One of the most notable casualties looks to be the “The Last of Us” multiplayer spin-off project, which is currently apparently “on thin ice.” Its always the working class on thin ice.
The Projects Affected
According to IGN and PlayStationLifestyle, the multiplayer spin-off of “The Last of Us” is among the projects that have been halted due to the layoffs. This project has received a lot of attention from fans and was regarded as a highly anticipated title.
According to Neil Druckmann, creative director at Naughty Dog, the layoffs have resulted in a business restructure.
The Timing and Communication
The layoffs were communicated internally last week, with a significant focus on quality assurance testing, as per AppTrigger. Fans and industry experts alike have speculated and expressed concern as a result of this inside communication. Yahoo and TechRaptor have also reported that at least 25 staff members have been laid off, affecting several departments, including production and art.
The Larger Trend in the Gaming Industry
The layoffs at Naughty Dog are not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend in the gaming industry. Other companies like Epic Games have also been laying off staff recently, as reported by Eurogamer.
This raises questions about job security and the future of project development in an industry known for its volatility. Having had the first hand experience being laid off its a terrible and draining experience to be true.
Conclusion
The Naughty Dog layoffs have sent ripples through the gaming community, affecting not just the employees but also putting anticipated projects on hold. While the exact reasons for the layoffs are still unclear, they have undoubtedly raised concerns about the future of Naughty Dog and the gaming industry as a whole. As fans, we can only hope for a positive turn of events and the resumption of halted projects.