A tough but essential restructuring is underway at Sharkmob, a Tencent-owned studio, with an unknown number of jobs potentially at risk. This news comes amidst a series of cutbacks across the industry, including layoffs at Funcom and the closure of The Outsiders studio. However, there's a silver lining for fans of Exoborne, as development on this sci-fi shooter is set to continue.
The Game Development Landscape: A Challenging Environment
In a recent statement, Sharkmob acknowledged the challenging environment facing game developers. They've announced "planned changes" to their organizational structure, describing these moves as "difficult but necessary steps" to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Exoborne, their second release, has just completed its second public playtest in October, but a release date remains elusive. The company has been tight-lipped about the details, citing an ongoing employee consultation process, which is standard practice under Swedish employment law.
Tencent's Western Ambitions: A Complex Picture
Tencent, the Chinese giant that owns Sharkmob, has been active in the Western market, investing heavily in studios like Sumo Digital and Fatshark. However, their recent actions have been mixed. While they laid off staff at Funcom after the successful launch of Dune: Awakening, they also closed The Outsiders studio, which developed Metal: Hellsinger. In September, Tencent VP Yong-yi Zhu stated that they have "no plans to pull out" of the Western market, but acknowledged that they may reduce investments in certain areas due to industry dynamics.
Industry Cutbacks: A Broader Trend
Sharkmob's restructuring is part of a larger trend in the industry. Their fellow Chinese publisher, NetEase, has also undergone cutbacks, resulting in the closure of several studios it founded or funded, including Fantastic Pixel Castle, T-Minus Zero Studios, and Bad Brain Games.
And this is the part most people miss...
While these changes may seem like a negative trend, they also present opportunities for growth and innovation. In a competitive industry, companies must adapt and focus their efforts to stay relevant. For Sharkmob, this means doubling down on Exoborne's development, which could lead to an exciting new release in the future.
So, what's your take on this? Is the gaming industry facing a crisis, or is this a natural evolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
