GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Massive Layoffs At Another Big Studio, As Trion Worlds Gets Acquired

More than 600 video game industry jobs have been lost in the past two months.

4 Comments

Yet another video game studio has suffered significant layoffs. Trion Worlds, the studio behind games like Rift, Trove, Defiance, and Archeage, has reportedly cut more than 150 jobs following its acquisition by a German free-to-play game company, Gamigo. A statement from Trion Worlds confirms that "there has been a transaction involving Trion Worlds and its games" that will result in layoffs.

"While many of the names and faces you've come to know in our studios will remain on through this transition, others will not be making the journey," reads a line from the statement. "To those who are leaving us, we are forever grateful for your incredible work and contributions over the years."

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Now Playing: Trove - Geode Story Official Trailer

A source told Gamasutra that Trion Worlds had more than 200 people on staff across its offices in California and Texas, but after the layoffs only 25 people are staying with the company.

Trion's games, at least some of them, will remain online in the "capable hands" of Gamigo, the company said. "Everyone involved is aiming to make this transition as smooth as possible for you. We will have more information to reveal as soon as we possibly can," the statement continues.

Polygon reports that the affected Trion developers were paid severance, unlike the people who lost their jobs when Telltale announced its own "majority studio closure."

Trion is just the latest video game studio to suffer serious layoffs. In September alone, more than 500 people lost their jobs due to the closure or significant staffing reductions at Carbine (50 layoffs), Capcom Vancouver (158 people), Telltale (250 people), and Big Fish Games (75 people). With Trion's 175 layoffs, there have now been more than 600 video game industry jobs lost in the past two months.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 4 comments about this story