Update: Recent staff reductions at UK developer Playtonic, as indicated by internal sources, have continued this week following initial notices last week. These changes are reportedly linked to challenges including funding difficulties post-Tencent investment in 2021, underwhelming performance of games under the Playtonic Friends label, rising employment expenses, and poor wishlist metrics for the upcoming Yooka-Replaylee.

Several employees, including former community manager Steve James, brand manager Anni Valkama, and designer Daley Eve Johnson, have shared updates regarding their departures. Playtonic is expected to issue an official statement shortly.

Original Story: Employees at UK studio Playtonic, known for Yooka-Laylee and the Playtonic Friends label, are sharing messages on social media about being made redundant.

News first surfaced via a Bluesky post from former community manager Steve James, who recently left the company. He expressed concern for his former colleagues and urged support for those seeking new opportunities.

Steve and current brand manager Anni Valkama have been sharing posts from former colleagues like Junior VFX Artist Joupin Ahmed, Assistant Producer Mae Davidson, and UI Artist James Feakins, who are at risk of redundancy.

Playtonic Friends is preparing to release Castle Pixel’s Cattle Country and working on a remake of their debut game, Yooka-Replaylee for Switch.

Industry challenges persist with recent layoffs affecting major companies. We remain in contact with Playtonic for further comment.