NetEase has laid off some employees in Montreal
Another Western studio of NetEase has been affected by the Chinese company's decision to reduce its presence outside of Asia. This time, it concerns NetEase Games Montréal.
Recently, several employees from the Montreal studio posted on LinkedIn about a wave of layoffs in their team. According to reports, the layoffs primarily impacted the QA department, but it's possible that other specialists were affected as well. The exact number of employees who lost their jobs is unknown.
NetEase has not publicly commented on the layoffs at NetEase Games Montréal.
According to Insider Gaming, NetEase may soon conduct layoffs in at least two more Western studios—or possibly close them entirely. The names of these studios have not been disclosed, but if the publication's sources are to be believed, one of them is working on a "popular IP." The company is reportedly considering all possible options regarding its subsidiaries.
All of this is a continuation of the company's trend from last year. Recall that in 2025, NetEase systematically closed its studios in the West. Specifically, it disbanded Jar of Sparks, Fantastic Pixel Castle, Bad Brain Game Studios, Jackalyptic Games, and T-Minus Zero Entertainment—the latter, however, later resurfaced as an independent studio.