Today, Embracer Group announced that they will be expanding their operations, leading to the unfortunate news that 35 employees at Digic will be laid off as a result. The exact reasons for the layoffs are not known as of yet, but the move to expand could suggest that the company is making changes to the organization or entering into a new direction.
Embracer Group is a Swedish publicly listed holding company that owns and operates more than 100 game studios around the world. The group has acquired several companies in the last two years, now owning the likes of Gearbox, THQ and Amplifier Game Invest. This growth likely correlated with the layoffs at Digic, a game development studio based in the Czech Republic that works on games for PC, console, and mobile platforms.
The layoffs happened without warning, and the Digic employees found out about the news in the morning. Many of the employees have worked at the studio for over a decade, with some even founding the company back in 2007.
It is not clear if Digic will be closing entirely, or if the layoffs are part of a restructuring or refocusing of the company. Embracer Group has not responded to any inquiries about the layoffs, but it is clear that the expansion of their operations is to blame.
While the news is heartbreaking for those affected, it is important to remember that there are still many game development jobs available in the Czech Republic. With the recent rise of game studios in the region, the industry is growing, and there is a wealth of talent in the country.
