New World Interactive, a subsidiary of Saber Interactive, is seeing layoffs. The studio is the latest one under the overall Embracer Group umbrella to face layoffs as part of the company’s major restructuring.
According to Insider Gaming, Saber Interactive confirmed the New World Interactive layoffs to be a restructuring of the studio.
“Saber can confirm there have been restructuring changes involving our New World Interactive subsidiary,” said the company in a statement.
“This reorganization has unfortunately resulted in layoffs at the studio. We are working to fill existing open roles within Saber with individuals affected by these changes wherever feasible and we will be providing severance packages to those employees impacted.”
The company has also confirmed that New World Interactive will be continuing development on its multiplayer shooter Insurgency: Sandstorm, as well as projects that are currently unannounced.
“Development will continue on Insurgency: Sandstorm, as well as unannounced future projects.”
Originally caught by Nick Calandra of Second Wind, the layoffs were originally thought to be a prelude to New World Interactive being shut down by Embracer.
Quite a few studios have been seeing layoffs and shutdowns as a result of Embracer’s ongoing restructuring. The end of November saw Fishlabs laying off around 50 employees, while earlier in the month, internal documents indicated that TimeSplitters developer Free Radical Design was next on the chopping block.
Embracer Group’s interim strategy officer Phil Rogers recently called the process of laying off employees from its studios as “agonizing” but “necessary”.
In not so great news… I'm hearing from sources that New World Interactive is the next studio shutdown from Embracer… happened this morning apparently and no public statement has come out yet.
Super sad to hear this as I did the documentary on that studio and they're great. pic.twitter.com/aBtwE3HMX1
— Nick Calandra (@nickjcal) December 4, 2023
