In a recent announcement, Canadian video game developer Relic Entertainment revealed the implementation of significant layoffs within its studio. The Vancouver-based company, recognized for its specialized development of real-time strategy games, confirmed the dismissal of 121 employees amid an industry landscape increasingly fraught with challenges.
Relic Entertainment, established in 1997, has been a major contributor to the video gaming industry with its widely acclaimed series, including Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes. Having been under the ownership of THQ since 2004, the company was later acquired by Sega during THQ’s bankruptcy in 2013, and since then has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sega Europe.
In a difficult period for the video game industry, Relic Entertainment, along with Sega Europe, has deemed it necessary to undertake this significant restructuring measure. “This comes at a time when external factors are challenging our industry more than ever, and we made this decision to restructure our organization to ensure maximum focus is placed on our core franchises,” the company stated.
Despite the sizeable reduction in workforce, both Relic and Sega remain dedicated to nurturing and investing in their existing titles, emphasizing the recently released ‘Company of Heroes 3‘. They voiced confidence that the resulting restructuring will position Relic to maintain its ability to deliver superior gaming experiences to its global player base. “We’re confident that following this necessary restructuring, Relic will be in a position of strength to continue delivering outstanding experiences to players all over the world,” the company maintained.
Acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, Relic emphasized its commitment to the welfare of its employees during the transition period. The studio, which takes pride in its team and the company culture, is turning its immediate attention to providing comprehensive support for the departing personnel.
Expressing gratitude for the significant contributions of the affected employees, the company said, “We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to each of them for the part they’ve played in making Relic such a special studio.”
As the gaming industry grapples with external pressures, it remains to be seen how this strategic restructuring will influence Relic Entertainment’s future trajectory, and its ability to continue producing innovative, engaging games in the years to come.
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