Reflector Entertainment, the developer behind Unknown 9, has reduced its workforce by 18%

Update: Reflector Entertainment has announced that it has reduced its workforce by 18%, as detailed in a statement on their website.

The company explained that this change is part of a shift into a new development stage, and the roles affected were not necessary for the current projects.

Those who have been laid off are receiving severance packages and access to medical, emotional, and career planning assistance.

Original story: Reports have emerged that Reflector Entertainment has laid off staff shortly after the release of its first game, Unknown 9: Awakening.

Journalist Ethan Gach reported the layoffs on BlueSky, and GameDeveloper added that some employees shared the news on LinkedIn.

The exact number of layoffs is not confirmed, but it appears departments like QA, marketing, art, and narrative have been affected. Individuals like narrative designer Anna Karina Bermudez and brand manager Manou Deneuvel are now seeking other opportunities.

Reflector Entertainment is responsible for developing Unknown 9: Awakening, the initial entry in a series of action-adventure games part of a broader transmedia narrative that includes audio dramas, books, and comics.

Reflector was acquired by Bandai Namco in 2020, prior to the game's debut. Initially planned for a summer release, Unknown 9: Awakening was postponed to October 18, 2024, and received mixed reviews upon launching. The sales figures are yet to be clear.

GamesIndustry.biz has contacted Bandai Namco for further details.