Splash Damage acquired this studio just 3 months after laying off a bunch of people—now it’s laying them off, too
Gamepires, the developer behind open-world survival game Scum, has announced layoffs affecting an undisclosed number of employees. The timing is particularly notable given that parent company Splash Damage underwent significant personnel reductions just three months prior to acquiring Gamepires.
The layoff announcement was made via an unattributed message posted on X without elaboration on numbers or details. The incident reflects a concerning pattern in the gaming industry where acquisitions are often followed swiftly by workforce reductions rather than integration and growth opportunities.
This development coincides with broader scrutiny of employment practices in gaming, particularly following Electronic Arts’ closure of BioWare and layoffs of approximately 400 employees. The recurring cycle of acquisitions followed by layoffs raises critical questions about the long-term viability of studio independence and job stability within video game development.