Layoffs begin at Amazon Games
Amazon cited a change in strategic focus as the reason for these cuts, and did not share further details. However, Amazon Gaming Vice President Christoph Hartmann stated that some employees have been assigned to new projects, while the teams in Irvine and Montreal will continue to grow. However, those laid off will be able to receive severance pay, health benefits and paid time off to find new employment.
As it is known, Amazon did not get what it expected in the game development business. While online RPG game New World received critical acclaim, free-to-play shooter Crucible was surprisingly cancelled. We then saw the head of the studio, John Smedley, step down from his post earlier this year.
Today, many companies, including Amazon, are trying to reduce their costs due to the post-pandemic recovery and the recession in the global economy. In this context, Amazon recently announced that 9,000 more would be added to the layoffs movement, which stretched from November to January and affected more than 18,000 employees. Therefore, let us state that the new news is not surprising.