MercurySteam, the Madrid-based studio best known for Metroid: Samus Returns on Nintendo 3DS and Metroid Dread on Nintendo Switch, has confirmed a round of layoffs in a statement posted to LinkedIn.
The developer — which previously collaborated with Konami on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow — described the move as a "workforce adjustment process" and said it will prioritize support for affected employees.
In its LinkedIn announcement, MercurySteam acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting that communicating staff changes is never easy and that the studio is treating the situation with care.
The company expressed "deepest respect, gratitude, and support for the people affected," emphasizing those employees' contributions to the studio's projects and history.
MercurySteam also invited other studios and companies seeking experienced developers to contact the studio to help connect impacted staff with new opportunities, providing an email address in the post for outreach.
MercurySteam has an established track record on Nintendo platforms.
The studio developed Metroid: Samus Returns for Nintendo 3DS, released in 2017, and co-developed Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch, released in 2021.
Both projects represented high-profile collaborations with Nintendo and helped raise the studio's international profile.
MercurySteam’s earlier work includes the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series in partnership with Konami.
The announcement did not specify the number of employees affected or provide a timeline for the workforce changes.
MercurySteam said it will "focus all our efforts on handling this process with the utmost responsibility, humanity, and respect for everyone involved," underscoring a commitment to internal support during the transition.
This development is a notable moment for a developer with a strong history on Nintendo platforms, including the 3DS and Nintendo Switch.
For industry contacts and studios looking to assist, MercurySteam’s LinkedIn post encourages outreach to help place displaced talent.
We will update this report if MercurySteam releases further details about the scope of the layoffs or next steps for affected staff.
For now, the company’s public statement serves as the primary source outlining its intent to manage the process responsibly and to support departing team members.
The developer — which previously collaborated with Konami on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow — described the move as a "workforce adjustment process" and said it will prioritize support for affected employees.
In its LinkedIn announcement, MercurySteam acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting that communicating staff changes is never easy and that the studio is treating the situation with care.
The company expressed "deepest respect, gratitude, and support for the people affected," emphasizing those employees' contributions to the studio's projects and history.
MercurySteam also invited other studios and companies seeking experienced developers to contact the studio to help connect impacted staff with new opportunities, providing an email address in the post for outreach.
MercurySteam has an established track record on Nintendo platforms.
The studio developed Metroid: Samus Returns for Nintendo 3DS, released in 2017, and co-developed Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch, released in 2021.
Both projects represented high-profile collaborations with Nintendo and helped raise the studio's international profile.
MercurySteam’s earlier work includes the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series in partnership with Konami.
The announcement did not specify the number of employees affected or provide a timeline for the workforce changes.
MercurySteam said it will "focus all our efforts on handling this process with the utmost responsibility, humanity, and respect for everyone involved," underscoring a commitment to internal support during the transition.
This development is a notable moment for a developer with a strong history on Nintendo platforms, including the 3DS and Nintendo Switch.
For industry contacts and studios looking to assist, MercurySteam’s LinkedIn post encourages outreach to help place displaced talent.
We will update this report if MercurySteam releases further details about the scope of the layoffs or next steps for affected staff.
For now, the company’s public statement serves as the primary source outlining its intent to manage the process responsibly and to support departing team members.
