Team17, the UK-based developer of Worms and publishing label for the likes of Overcooked, Dredge, and Blasphemous, is the latest games company to be cutting jobs.
Initially reported by Eurogamer and subsequently confirmed to VG247, the team has "entered into a period of consultation" ending in November, restructuring the business and likely to result in several layoffs. Reportedly, around 50 jobs are on the chopping block, mostly within Team17's QA department. The CEO of Team17 Digital, Michael Pattison, is also leaving.
"In response to the reports concerning the departure of Michael Pattison from Team17, we can confirm we have amicably parted ways with Michael," reads the statement on the matter. "We can also confirm that we have sadly entered into a period of consultation today within Team17 Digital, with Astragon and Storytoys remaining unaffected by the restructuring plans."
This isn't the first time Team17 has downsized this year. In March, layoffs occurred within the company's in-house development teams. Furthermore, a Eurogamer report on the company revealed concerns around pay, working conditions, and management.
This is a very turbulent time within the industry; Team17 sadly joins the likes of Crystal Dynamics, SEGA's Creative Assembly, and Epic Games in announcing job losses.
Of course, we wish all the best to those affected.
[source vg247.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 14
Man, even the CEO got cut this time…
Layoffs are just sweeping across the industry. I know they lost a lot of goodwill with developers earlier on in the year(? I think) when they announced NFTs. I know that internet reactions are usually hyperbolic, but with an indie publisher and the amazing goodwill Devolver, Annapurna, and now Bigmode has it makes sense that Team17 would suffer.
Always hate to see layoffs in the industry. Hopefully everyone laid off can bounce back and find new employment.
Gutted, they’re one of the devs that I grew up amazed that there were cool and exciting companies right here in the UK. The government really needs to cultivate the local devs more than they do but well, that’s probably very low down on the list of grievances I have with them lmao
Ah s**t, here we go again
I love the traditional worms games, so hopefully they can still make them. I have put hundreds of hours into W.M.D, I hope Microsoft dosent gets its grubby paws on team 17, but if they need accuring then hopefully someone else and they keep it on playstation.
I've come to really dislike them.
They were the publishers of a game a group of friends of mine were developing. Out of the blue, they started to ask for unreasonable tasks for a short time and they stopped paying them.
My friends started to go through an awful time. In the end, they had to close the studio and I have no idea if the game will ever release now.
Lots of companies having issues these days
I honestly believe these companies just copy one another. One sees a company lay people off then they see an excuse to trim the fat even if they don't need to.
That's a shame. I like much of what they've put out as a publisher over the years and have some great Worms memories as well.
Hopefully Team17 can survive this. Although I don't play most of their games Worms is one of my favorite franchises
Wasted their time with that battle royale worms game, I assume it flopped hard.
I think they expanded a bit too much, extending beyond their strengths.
The industry cant keep up the fake promises of unending growth this is gonna be bad.
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