Life is Strange makers Don’t Nod face layoffs and possible insolvency, French workers union STJV state
Don’t Nod, the French studio renowned for the Life is Strange franchise and Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, is facing severe financial difficulties and has entered a safeguard procedure to prevent complete insolvency. The studio announced it cannot pay off its debts and initiated this legal protection measure, with news reaching financial media before employees—a communication pattern criticized by STJV, a French game workers union. CEO Oskar Guilbert characterized the safeguard process as “an act of anticipation,” suggesting proactive management of the financial crisis. The studio’s financial troubles have been building over time, with warning signs previously noted by employee representatives. Layoffs are anticipated as part of restructuring efforts to stabilize the company. Don’t Nod has established itself as a notable independent studio in the narrative-driven gaming space through the Life is Strange series, but this insolvency risk now represents an existential threat to the studio’s continued operations and its ongoing projects.