Surgent Studios has announced layoffs just a few months following the release of its first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Update: Surgent Studios disclosed that it has been affected by layoffs this year, with more than twelve staff members impacted.

The studio issued a statement on X, noting:

Surgent is among the many game studios facing layoffs this year, impacting just over a dozen staff members.

This is a challenging period for the gaming sector, yet we take immense pride in our team's efforts on Zau, which has garnered significant acclaim from both critics and gamers.

"Our priority now is offering support to those affected, continuing development on Zau, and gearing up for future creative undertakings," the statement added.

Founder Abubakar Salim expressed on X that these cuts are "deeply painful," but he remains proud of the team's achievements over the past four years.

Original story: Reports indicate that Surgent Studios has let go of some staff members, though the exact number remains unspecified.

This development follows just three months after the successful release of their latest game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, which received positive feedback from both reviewers and fans.

Neither the studio nor founder Abubakar Salim has made any public remarks about the layoffs. However, former employees have shared their experiences on social media.

Peter Brisbourne, a former level designer, announced on LinkedIn that his stint at Surgent Studios is ending this month.

Producer Phillip Smy commented that he is another victim of the unpredictable nature of the video game industry.

A producer also mentioned on Bluesky that they anticipated unfortunate news, which was confirmed today as they shared, "I've officially been laid off, as expected. Sh*t sucks."

GamesIndustry.biz has sought further comments on the situation.