Well, it looks like the new year isn’t exactly starting with a bang for everyone in the gaming world. Just two days into 2025, we’re already hearing about layoffs at Netmarble F&C. It’s a harsh reminder that while we’re all busy playing and enjoying our favorite titles, there are real people behind those games facing some serious challenges.
According to reports from YNA, Netmarble F&C has laid off about 20 employees, around 25% of its workforce. This reduction comes as the studio gears up for the launch of their upcoming game, Demis Reborn, which is expected to release sometime this year.
The news also reveals that Demis Reborn‘s art style and overall feel have been “significantly revised” to cater more to adult audiences, a shift that might be both exciting and nerve-wracking for fans eagerly awaiting its arrival. However, with these staffing changes occurring right before launch, it seems likely that players will need to prepare for a possible delay in release dates.
If you’ve been following industry trends lately, you know that layoffs have become alarmingly frequent in gaming. The last two years were particularly harsh, with over 10,000 jobs lost in 2023 alone and an estimated 16,000+ positions cut in 2024. So what do you think, will things get better or worse for job security in gaming as we move into this new year?
