It’s undeniable that the gaming industry is facing rough waters lately, and the latest news from Humanoid Studios is a testament to this ongoing trend. You might recall Casey Hudson, the visionary director behind the iconic Mass Effect series, and his announcement back in 2021. He formed Humanoid Studios with the intention of crafting a brand-new game universe. Sadly, those plans have come to a standstill, as the studio announced its closure recently on LinkedIn due to funding issues.
Each week seems to bring another wave of unfortunate news about studio shutdowns and job losses, and this week is no different. Despite efforts to protect Humanoid Studios from the wider industry’s economic struggles, an unexpected financial gap has forced them to shut down. The studio acknowledged this setback with a heartfelt message: “Today, we had to break the news to our employees that we’re closing shop. Even though we tried insulating ourselves from the industry’s bigger hurdles, a sudden funding shortfall made it impossible to keep the studio running.”
While the team worked tirelessly to bring their innovative sci-fi universe to life, the journey has come to an unexpected end. The primary concern now revolves around their talented staff. The studio is dedicated to assisting them in navigating the transition to new opportunities. During their collaboration, the team made remarkable strides and proved that exceptional work can thrive in an environment filled with fun and creativity. The parting words express gratitude to the team for their courage and creativity, as well as to everyone who supported the studio’s efforts along the way.
This is indeed disappointing news, yet unfortunately, it’s not a unique scenario. Funding woes have added to the industry’s challenges, along with the staggering figure of over 14,000 layoffs happening in the current year alone. Let’s hope that everyone at Humanoid Studios finds new opportunities swiftly and can move forward with resilience and optimism.