Team17, the publisher behind the popular game Worms, has revealed plans for a restructure that is expected to lead to significant layoffs. As part of this announcement, Michael Pattison, the CEO of Team17 Digital, has amicably departed from the company. In response to these reports, a spokesperson for Team17 stated, “We can 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.”

Unlike Team17, both Astragon and Storytoys are thriving despite the restructure. Both companies have a strong presence in the mobile gaming sector. Astragon is a well-known publisher of simulation titles, including the highly successful Construction Simulator 2. On the other hand, Storytoys is a leading developer of educational apps for children.

Changes in Leadership

Following Michael Pattison’s departure, Ann Hurley, the commercial operations director, is expected to step into the role of CEO. During an emergency town hall meeting, Hurley commented on the company’s performance, saying, “We have just communicated our half-year results, which showed strong growth for the Group in the first half of the year. While we are pleased with this success, we also understand that the industry has become increasingly competitive, with high-quality launches and deep peer discounting taking center stage. Team17 Digital, like many other companies in our industry, has faced these challenges.”

Most significantly impacted by the restructure is Team17’s quality assurance team, which may see up to 50 members of staff being laid off. The extent of the impact on other departments remains uncertain at this time. Steve Bell was appointed as the CEO of Team17 in June.