3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks reportedly see layoffs

Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Developer of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. Here we'll crown the best studio of the year and recognise teams that have gone above and beyond for their titles, from releasing lots of games within the 12-month period to those supporting them after launch.

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A number of staff have been laid off at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks - the developers behind Ghostrunner, Shadow Warrior, Duke Nukem and more - as the game industry devastation wrought by Embracer’s restructuring efforts continues.

A number of employees at Embracer-owned developer Slipgate Ironworks and publisher 3D Realms have reported on social media that they’ve been impacted by layoffs. However, it’s not currently clear how many people have been affected, and there's been no official confirmation or messaging yet.

Embracer Group’s internal restructuring program has been a brutal one that has resulted in mass layoffs across a number of studios owned by the company, and the company is continuing to make cuts. The latest studios that have been hit with layoffs are 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks, both of which were acquired in 2021 and operate under the Saber Interactive banner.

3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks are the latest studios to be affected by Embracer's restructuring program.

3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks are the latest studios to suffer layoffs under Embracer.

Embracer Group has reportedly made layoffs at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks.

According to 3D Realms founder Scott Miller, the Danish development company is the latest to be hit with layoffs from parent company Embracer Group. Miller confirmed that several sources from the company told him that at least half of the company had been laid off. 3D Realms has had quite a few recent releases including Ion Fury: Aftershock, RIPOUT, The Kindeman Remedy, and Kingpin: Reloaded. Embracer Group acquired 3D Realms in 2021.

It looks like more Embracer studios have been hit with layoffs. 3D Realms founder Scott Miller (via GamesIndustry), who doesn't work at the current incarnation of the studio but runs reborn indie publisher Apogee Entertainment, said on Twitter that «a lot of people, including core devs» at 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks have been put out of work.