Layoffs reportedly hit Everywhere studio Build a Rocket Boy
Update: Build a Rocket Boy confirms that the studio is cutting an unconfirmed number of jobs
Build a Rocket Boy has reportedly made an unconfirmed number of layoffs.
The Edinburgh-based studio, which is helmed by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, announced the staff cuts internally on Monday, according to a PCGamesN source.
While it’s unclear how many employees are being let go, the site claims that the layoffs notably affect the studio’s publishing department, quality assurance and art teams.
They’re reportedly spread across Build a Rocket Boy’s three locations, which also include offices in Budapest, Hungary, and Montpellier, France. VGC has contacted Build a Rocket Boy for comment on this report.
Update
In a statement provided to VGC, a Build a Rocket Boy spokesperson confirmed that the studio is cutting an unconfirmed number of jobs globally.
“While we have made great progress developing our products, we are now in a position where we need to make changes to the way we work across our business in order to become a more agile studio and to meet the requirements that our projects demand,” they said.
“To achieve that and refocus, we have taken the extremely difficult decision to propose the removal of a number of roles globally. This process is ongoing and we are working with those impacted at this difficult and challenging time.”
The studio announced last month that it had closed on an over $110 million Series D fundraising round.
“The new capital will enable Build A Rocket Boy to launch its three flagship products: immersive gaming and entertainment open world platform Everywhere, AAA game series MindsEye, and suite of easy-to-use UGC design tools called Arcadia,” it said.
Game developer Farhan Noor, who has been tracking job cuts dating back to the start of 2023 on videogameslayoffs.com, estimates that around 10,500 games industry employees were laid off last year. And less than two months into 2024, some 6,000 planned jobs cuts are already thought to have been confirmed.
Further reading
Everywhere’s first gameplay demo shows a large action stage created by a single player
The latest GDC State of the Game Industry survey found that around a third of developers were impacted by layoffs at their workplace over the 12 months ended in October 2023.
Asked how concerned they were about layoffs over the following 12 months to October 2024, 14% of the 3000+ respondents said they were very concerned, 16% said they were somewhat concerned, and 26% said they were slightly concerned.
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