Mob Entertainment Lays Off ‘Almost Entire’ Escape From Playtime Team
Mob Entertainment laid off nearly its entire Escape from Playtime team on November 4, 2026, just one month after the game’s release. The layoffs affected 16 employees across the company, with the majority being contractors rather than permanent staff. The announcement came through a LinkedIn post by Richard Maddern, the game’s former lead designer, who revealed that he and numerous team members were now seeking new employment opportunities.
While Mob Entertainment did not provide an official explanation for the layoffs, industry sources suggest the decision may be connected to Escape from Playtime’s underperformance compared to the studio’s more successful Poppy Playtime franchise. Despite strong development efforts from the team, the title has struggled to achieve the same commercial traction as its predecessors.
Maddern’s statement emphasized the team’s accomplishments, calling the game “fantastic” and expressing pride in what they collectively achieved. He called on industry peers to help the affected team members find new positions, highlighting the collaborative support within the gaming community during difficult times.