Thunderful Announces Major Restructuring, Layoffs Affecting 100 Staff
Swedish game developer and publisher Thunderful has unveiled a new “strategic restructuring program,” marking yet another significant shift in less than a year. Unfortunately, this new direction comes with a heavy cost: layoffs affecting 80-100 internal employees and the cancellation of several in-progress games.
Focus Shifts to Third-Party Publishing
The restructuring is designed to pivot Thunderful’s focus from internal game development to third-party publishing. This approach, the company states, will help cut costs, provide greater flexibility, and enable faster, more varied game releases. By relying more heavily on external partners, Thunderful aims to stabilize its cash flow and ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.
CEO Statement
Thunderful Group CEO Martin Walfisz expressed deep regret over the layoffs, saying:
“It is regrettable to announce a second restructuring of Thunderful in less than a year, but we unfortunately see no other alternatives in order to ensure the Group’s long-term sustainability and resilience. … We have many talented and dedicated employees, and it is with great regret that we are forced to part ways.”
A Broader Industry Challenge
Thunderful’s layoffs echo a growing trend in the gaming industry, which has seen notable job cuts across various companies, from developers of major projects like Kerbal Space Program 2 and Visions of Mana to prominent publishers and distributors like Humble Bundle and Annapurna Interactive.
While these moves often aim to address financial pressures, they highlight the volatile nature of the gaming sector, where even well-regarded companies face tough decisions to navigate market challenges.
Thunderful’s new strategy marks a significant change for the group, but its impact on the industry and the developers affected by the layoffs remains to be seen. For now, Thunderful is betting on third-party publishing as its path forward.
