These are difficult times for the video game industry, which after huge gains during the period of the covid-19 pandemic, now faces several layoffs for two years now with more than 10,000 people in 2023 and another 10,000 in the first part of this year.
Behaviour Interactive is also not exempt from this bad news, and in fact after 45 layoffs occurred in January, another ‘up to’ 90 people were laid off yesterday, including the person responsible for the March chapter teasers that brought The Unknown inside the game, i.e., the DLC considered to have the best-looking teasers ever of those released to advertise Dead by Daylight content:
But not only that, many people who had anything to do with the Dead by Daylight community were fired, and this created a bit of a stir on the socials:
TL;DR 95 people were let go today at BHVR 💔
— Natalie 🦝 (@deathbygigglz) June 4, 2024
Sending many of my friends and former colleagues much love during this time, especially since this is wave 2 of layoffs this year alone... Please keep them in mind if you know of any openings! 💛https://t.co/ZMM7BOcBw3
This hurts to write: i was part of today’s layoffs at bhvr.
— McDoobz (she/her) (@McD00bz) June 4, 2024
To say that i’m heartbroken & in shock would be an understatement 💔
I *LOVED* this job. It 100% was my dream opportunity when it was offered to me 2 years ago, and it still felt like a dream 2 years later 🤍 pic.twitter.com/E8N4kjMsqA
Rumours are true: I was laid off in the most recent cull at BHVR.
— Mae (@the_MerMae) June 4, 2024
I'll miss the creators I've worked with so much - it was an honor to be your fairy fog mother for the last 3.5 years. I'll always be rooting for you.
I'm disappointed, but I look forward to my next adventure.
Very sad that BHVR was praised for their transparency and communication throughout all of year 8, and I’m noticing a huge amount of people in charge of social media, community management, etc. being the ones laid off. Incredibly disappointing and worrisome for the future of DBD https://t.co/dmsHPGSSQC
— Connot 😼 (@ConnotMeow) June 4, 2024
Well, this morning blew.
— 𝙹𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎 (Hor.hé or George will do) (@Jorge_Chaparro) June 4, 2024
Unfortunately today was my last at @Behaviour. 10+ yr Sr Social Media & Community Manager, actively looking for new opportunities (in or out of video games). Would greatly appreciate a share.
well, I got laid off today
— cammy ! 🌸 (@icedcappitalism) June 4, 2024
Happy pride month! 🩷
Behaviour Interactive’s press release goes into more detail saying that these layoffs were driven by the need to “focus on its historical strengths.”
The main problem has been that in the past five years, the company has grown from 575 employees to 1,300, but that due to ”unprecedented competition,” it is forced to make ”multiple strategic changes,” partly because of the recent acquisitions that have taken place.
Indeed, I would remind you that last March Behaviour Interactive acquired Fly Studio in Montreal, and last year SockMoney Studios and Codeglue were acquired, and it also started a new studio in Cornwall. And before that, in 2022, Behavior acquired Midwinter Entertainment and opened a new office in Toronto.
They are keen to make it clear that these layoffs will not impact the status of Dead by Daylight, although in fact as far as we can tell on socials, there are many people who were working on that very game before they were laid off.
Unfortunately the timing is not the best since just on Monday the new expansion with Dungeons and Dragons was launched, which comes right on Dead by Daylight with Vecna.
I wish all the people laid off to find jobs suitable to their skills, the gray times will end sooner or later.
I remind you to follow me on socials to stay updated:
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