Dune: Awakening studio faces layoffs as it restructures following console release
Funcom, the Norwegian developer behind Dune: Awakening, is undergoing a period of restructuring that will result in layoffs. This marks the second major restructuring for the company in roughly a year, following a similar move after Dune: Awakening’s initial PC release.
The restructuring follows the console launch of Dune: Awakening. According to the company, they “cannot sustain the size and structure required during peak development,” indicating the layoffs are part of moving beyond the intensive development phase.
The leadership is also changing. Long-serving CEO Rui Casais, who has been with Funcom for 22 years (including 11 years as CEO), is departing the company. Scott Junior, who has been at Funcom for 25 years and served as executive producer for Dune: Awakening’s launch, will take over as the new CEO.
Funcom is also known for Conan Exiles and several other game titles. The studio’s latest restructuring reflects broader challenges in the gaming industry around managing development cycles and cost structures during different project phases.