Embracer Group has reportedly laid off more than 25 employees from Beamdog, according to former employees via LinkedIn, as spotted by GameDeveloper. Beamdog, the studio behind Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition, Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition, and Mythforce was acquired by Embracer’s Aspyr Media subsidiary in April 2022.
“On Friday 26 people were laid off at Beamdog, and I unfortunately am one of them,” said former associate producer Misia Bloniarz via LinkedIn. “After 4 years at the company I look back at my time there fondly, and wish everyone the best.”
Others affected by the layoffs include former associate graphic artist Jill Hollett and former QA manager Erin McIntyre, who also confirmed their termination via LinkedIn. These layoffs are just one result of Embracer Group’s previously announced restructuring, with other studios — including Saints Row developer Volition — facing shutdowns or layoffs. In that announcement, CEO Lars Wingefors insisted on the “untapped potential” of Embracer.
“Across the group, we are now initiating multiple actions to strengthen our cash flow generation and leverage our portfolio of IPs to become a stronger company and setting out on a stable future to build even greater games to the benefit of gamers and fans across the globe,” Wingefors said. He then went on to say that, despite this action, there would be closures and layoffs in the group’s future.
This might not be the last time we’ll hear about Embracer holding layoffs or closures; earlier this month, the company was reportedly considering a sale of Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment, per Reuters.
