People Can Fly Confirms Project Cancellations and Team Scale-Down: What This Means for the Future

People Can Fly has made the tough choice to halt two of its projects and reduce its teams. CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski shared on LinkedIn that this decision wasn’t easy. He explained that they suspended Project Gemini and Project Bifrost due to issues with their publisher and financial uncertainties.

Wojciechowski pointed out that Project Gemini was affected because the publisher failed to provide the necessary draft for their agreement. He noted a lack of communication regarding the project’s future. Project Bifrost was paused for similar reasons, along with concerns about the studio’s cash flow and its ability to support ongoing work.

“Regrouping as a studio and scaling down our teams is painful,” Wojciechowski stated. He expressed gratitude for all the hard work from his team and regret over the situation.

While he didn’t name the publisher involved, People Can Fly has partnered with several notable companies, including Square Enix and Sony. The studio is also working on Gears of War: E-Day.

This announcement comes on the heels of significant layoffs at the studio. In December, People Can Fly reduced its workforce by affecting more than 120 employees, citing pressures from the external market as a key reason.

In recent times, the gaming industry has seen a growing trend of studios downsizing amid economic challenges. According to a report by the International Game Developers Association, over 50% of game developers have faced budget cuts or layoffs in the last year, highlighting the tough environment many studios navigate today.

The reaction on social media has been mixed, with many expressing concern for the impacted employees. Fans of the studio have taken to platforms like Twitter to share support and discuss the potential future of the games. It’s a tough moment not just for People Can Fly, but for the industry as a whole.

As the gaming landscape evolves, studios like People Can Fly face the challenge of balancing creativity with financial stability. Keeping an eye on how these changes unfold will be crucial for both developers and players alike.

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