Montreal-based Ludia lets 45 staff go in new round of layoffs
Ludia, a subsidiary of Jam City, has undergone a new round of layoffs, with approximately 45 staff members being let go. LinkedIn posts from former employees indicated the recent job cuts. Jam City had acquired Ludia in 2021 for $165 million, and controversy arose in 2022 when abrupt layoffs occurred.
An official statement from a company spokesperson explained that the restructuring was aimed at optimizing the performance of their titles, and they are providing support and severance packages to the affected employees.
While there has been no official confirmation of the total number of layoffs in this round, one anonymous source claims that 45 employees were affected, including several directors and a Vice President. This round of layoffs is reportedly smaller in scale compared to the 17% staff reduction that occurred in mid-2022.
The gaming industry is witnessing a trend of developers and publishers making cutbacks and reevaluating their positions following the surge in growth during the pandemic. As the growth rate returns to a more stable pace, companies are reassessing their strategies. Some, like Playtika, have halted the development of new games to focus on restructuring and strengthening their existing portfolio.
Jam City itself recently appointed a new CEO, Josh Yguado. While optimistic at the time of his hiring earlier this year, the recent layoffs at Ludia may serve as a significant test of his leadership.
Source: Iwan Morris, Staff Writer at PocketGamer