League of Geeks Enters “Hibernation” After Workforce Cuts
League of Geeks, the renowned studio responsible for popular titles like Armello, Jumplight Odyssey, and Solium Infernum, has recently announced a significant decision to go into “hibernation for the foreseeable future”. This move comes after the studio made the tough call to reduce its workforce by 50% towards the end of last year.
The studio faced challenges such as escalating operational costs, unfavorable exchange rates, disappointing early access sales for Jumplight Odyssey, and a slowdown in funding opportunities within the industry. Consequently, following the layoffs, League of Geeks also confirmed the indefinite pause of Jumplight Odyssey’s development.
Despite the passage of several months, the studio’s financial situation has not shown signs of improvement. In a statement on their website, League of Geeks co-founders Ty Carey, Blake Mizzi, and Trent Kusters expressed, “The economic landscape in the gaming industry led us to the decision to temporarily halt operations and take an extended break.”
The founders further shared, “The majority of our team members have moved on to new opportunities, and those who remain will be taking a well-deserved break in the coming months.” Acknowledging the uncertainties ahead, they added, “We are not certain if or when we will return, but we are immensely proud of our accomplishments, the talented developers who contributed to our projects, and our dedicated community supporters.”
While the studio is winding down its operations, all games will remain available online with continued support, although active development will cease. Jumplight Odyssey will stay on hiatus indefinitely, but the team aims to transition it out of early access in the next year – albeit not in the fully realized version initially intended.
Additionally, development on Solium Infernum will be concluded due to insufficient sales revenue to sustain further updates or DLC. Nonetheless, players can anticipate a few final updates, bug fixes, and minor content additions as a farewell gesture from the team.
Armello, the studio’s debut game released in 2015, will continue as usual, providing periodic content updates and maintaining the experience for its players. Fortunately, the Armello Board Game adaptation remains unaffected by these changes.
In conclusion, the studio expressed gratitude towards the challenges and joys of game development, emphasizing the dedication and camaraderie of the individuals involved. Despite the difficulties faced, the team at League of Geeks remains appreciative of the support received from both internal and external sources, making the journey worthwhile.