Deck Nine Games, the studio behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure, has announced another round of layoffs. This is the second time this year the studio has reduced its workforce, following a 20% reduction in February and previous layoffs in 2023.
"Today, we are sad to share the news that we must say goodbye to some of our talented team members... This was an extremely difficult decision and reflects the challenging times many companies in our industry are currently facing." - Mark Lyons, CEO of Deck Nine
The exact number of employees affected by this latest round of layoffs has not been disclosed. The studio's CEO, Mark Lyons, expressed gratitude for the contributions of departing team members and assured the community of their commitment to supporting those affected.
Deck Nine's February layoffs were attributed to "worsening market conditions." These cuts, along with an estimated 30 layoffs in May 2023, raise concerns about the studio's financial stability. Deck Nine became the primary developer of the Life is Strange franchise after Dontnod Entertainment, creating Before the Storm, the remastered collection, True Colors, and Double Exposure.
The timing of these latest layoffs, shortly after the release of Double Exposure, suggests the game's sales performance may have been a contributing factor. Our review found the game entertaining but ultimately unnecessary, rehashing many narrative elements from its predecessor.
