Phoenix Labs Announces Major Studio Layoffs Amidst Ongoing Support for Fae Farm and Dauntless on Nintendo Switch

Phoenix Labs, the notable Vancouver-based game developer responsible for the multiplayer action RPG Dauntless (2019) and the cozy life-simulation title Fae Farm (2023), has announced a significant round of layoffs that will impact the majority of its employees.

This development, revealed through an official statement on the studio’s LinkedIn page, marks the second major workforce reduction at the company in less than a year. Phoenix Labs, recognized for its contributions to the Nintendo Switch ecosystem through both Dauntless and Fae Farm available via the Nintendo eShop, cited "unfortunate but necessary changes to our operations" as the main driver behind these layoffs.

The studio previously made headlines in May 2024 when approximately 140 team members were let go as part of another restructuring effort. In the new announcement, Phoenix Labs leadership wrote, "Today is another difficult day at Phoenix Labs.

We have made the tough decision to part ways with the majority of the studio as part of unfortunate but necessary changes to our operations.

We are deeply grateful for the dedication and contributions of every individual impacted.

In the coming weeks, we will be able to share more details about what this transition means for Dauntless and Fae Farm.

Our current focus is on supporting those affected by this decision." Phoenix Labs also called on peers in the gaming industry to consider reaching out to their recently affected employees, highlighting the exceptional talent and commitment these developers bring to game development. Dauntless, released in 2019 and available on the Nintendo Switch since December of that year, has amassed millions of players worldwide and is recognized for its cross-platform play and extensive post-launch updates.

Fae Farm, the studio’s latest entry, launched in September 2023 and quickly resonated with fans of farming and life simulation games, also securing a solid presence on the Nintendo Switch. Team members impacted by the layoffs, such as concept artist Kimberley Parker and senior technical designer known as "ForgedPixels," have publicly confirmed their departures on BlueSky, underlining the widespread effect of this restructuring. The Phoenix Labs announcement follows closely on the heels of significant workforce reductions at other prominent gaming companies, including Ubisoft’s layoff of 185 staff and the closure of its Ubisoft Leamington studio in the UK just days prior. Both Dauntless and Fae Farm remain available for Nintendo Switch players through the Nintendo eShop, with updates regarding their ongoing support expected in the near future.

For now, Phoenix Labs emphasizes its commitment to supporting affected employees during the challenging transition period, reinforcing its long-standing values as a studio and leading developer for the Nintendo Switch platform.

Nintendo Switch Phoenix Labs Dauntless Fae Farm Nintendo Switch