Media: Co-creators of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered lay off 300 employees (UPDATED: 270 layoffs officially confirmed)
The game outsourcing company Virtuos, which has contributed to Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, the remaster of Oblivion, and numerous other projects, is conducting layoffs. As revealed by journalist Gauthier Andres from Origami, the company has decided to lay off 7% of its workforce.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
According to his information, the division of Virtuos in China will be most affected, with 200 people leaving. About another hundred employees will be let go from other teams.
Reportedly, the layoffs were driven by Virtuos' desire to become more competitive and shift its focus to working on major projects where it plays a significant role.
Specifically, that's why it recently spent a lot of resources on developing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Andres' sources claim that Virtuos prioritized the quality of the remaster over budget and agreed not to receive royalties, all in order to add a showcase game to its portfolio, whose profitability is uncertain.
Furthermore, in February, after completing work on the Oblivion remaster, the company froze salary increases and reduced bonuses, assuring that there would be no layoffs. Currently, employees at Virtuos Lyon are concerned about the future of their studio. They have announced a strike in hopes of defending their rights.
Updated: Virtuos representatives confirmed the layoffs in a comment to the media. They reported that a total of 270 people will be affected by the reduction: 200 in China and 70 in Europe, including 10 in France.