Phoenix Labs Conducts Main Layoffs, Elevating Issues for Dauntless and Fae Farm – MMOs.com

Studio confirms workers cuts amid ongoing turmoil linked to blockchain investor Forte Labs.
Phoenix Labs, the Vancouver BC primarily based studio behind Dauntless and Fae Farm, has laid off a majority of its workforce, casting uncertainty over the way forward for each video games. The studio introduced the cuts in a LinkedIn put up earlier in the present day, calling the transfer “powerful however mandatory,” although it didn't specify what number of staff had been affected or what the restructuring means for ongoing growth. Updates on the video games’ roadmaps are promised “within the coming weeks.”

What’s Taking place to Dauntless and Fae Farm?
This spherical of layoffs follows a turbulent interval for Phoenix Labs. In 2023, the studio started downsizing after canceling all tasks besides Dauntless and Fae Farm—a choice tied to blockchain agency Forte Labs, which secretly acquired the studio in 2022. Whistleblowers later uncovered Forte’s involvement, revealing its push to pivot Phoenix Labs towards blockchain tasks, a plan met with inner resistance.

Dauntless’ Downward Spiral: The free-to-play motion RPG, usually in comparison with Monster Hunter, has struggled since its poorly acquired Awakening overhaul in December 2023. The replace stripped development programs, alienating veterans and critics. Gamers have known as it a determined seize noting the sport now's barly a husk of its formerself. Final week’s deliberate Umbral Reign season delay now seems linked to the studio’s staffing disaster.
Fae Farm’s Radio Silence: The comfy farming sim, launched in 2023, has seen no main updates since its launch. Phoenix Labs has not clarified whether or not deliberate DLC or fixes will proceed.

Phoenix Labs’ decline highlights broader challenges in live-service gaming, the place investor pressures and shifting priorities usually conflict with participant expectations. Forte Labs’ stealthy acquisition and failed blockchain pivot additional underscore the instability that has plagued the studio.
Gamers of each video games now face an anxious look forward to readability, with layoffs suggesting diminished capability to assist present titles. Phoenix Labs’ remaining group has but to handle how (or if) content material pipelines will proceed.
My intestine says that the studio is probably going doomed and can attempt to promote itself off.

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