MercurySteam, the Spanish studio best known for developing Metroid Dread for Nintendo Switch, has confirmed it has initiated a “workforce adjustment process.” The announcement, posted on the studio’s official LinkedIn account, did not disclose how many employees are affected.
MercurySteam’s catalog also includes Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) for Nintendo 3DS and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (2013) for 3DS, underscoring its long-running collaboration with Nintendo platforms.
What the studio said
In a company post on LinkedIn, MercurySteam stated it had begun a workforce adjustment process and acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
The studio said that while such staffing changes are common during production cycles in the games industry, they remain “difficult and painful.” MercurySteam expressed deep respect, gratitude, and support for the staff affected and said it would assist them in finding new opportunities, inviting other studios and companies to contact MercurySteam to connect with experienced developers.
The developer also committed to managing the process in the coming weeks “with the utmost responsibility, humanity, and respect for everyone involved.”
Context and confirmed credits
MercurySteam’s role on Metroid Dread — released for Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021 — brought significant attention to the studio after years of work on Nintendo handheld projects.
The studio’s previous credits include Metroid: Samus Returns on Nintendo 3DS (2017) and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate on 3DS (2013).
These titles reflect MercurySteam’s ongoing partnerships with Nintendo and its experience developing for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS platforms.
Reporting on future projects
Separately, YouTuber malo932 has reported rumours about potential future projects tied to MercurySteam, including a Super Metroid remake and a follow-up to Metroid Dread.
These reports remain unconfirmed by MercurySteam or Nintendo.
What to watch next
MercurySteam posted its update directly on LinkedIn rather than through Nintendo Direct or eShop channels, and the studio has said it will prioritise supporting affected team members during the transition.
The company has not released any further official statements about staffing numbers or specific project impacts.
For industry observers and Nintendo fans, MercurySteam’s announcement is a reminder of the volatility of production cycles even among studios with high-profile releases.
MercurySteam’s catalog also includes Metroid: Samus Returns (2017) for Nintendo 3DS and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (2013) for 3DS, underscoring its long-running collaboration with Nintendo platforms.
What the studio said
In a company post on LinkedIn, MercurySteam stated it had begun a workforce adjustment process and acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
The studio said that while such staffing changes are common during production cycles in the games industry, they remain “difficult and painful.” MercurySteam expressed deep respect, gratitude, and support for the staff affected and said it would assist them in finding new opportunities, inviting other studios and companies to contact MercurySteam to connect with experienced developers.
The developer also committed to managing the process in the coming weeks “with the utmost responsibility, humanity, and respect for everyone involved.”
Context and confirmed credits
MercurySteam’s role on Metroid Dread — released for Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021 — brought significant attention to the studio after years of work on Nintendo handheld projects.
The studio’s previous credits include Metroid: Samus Returns on Nintendo 3DS (2017) and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate on 3DS (2013).
These titles reflect MercurySteam’s ongoing partnerships with Nintendo and its experience developing for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS platforms.
Reporting on future projects
Separately, YouTuber malo932 has reported rumours about potential future projects tied to MercurySteam, including a Super Metroid remake and a follow-up to Metroid Dread.
These reports remain unconfirmed by MercurySteam or Nintendo.
What to watch next
MercurySteam posted its update directly on LinkedIn rather than through Nintendo Direct or eShop channels, and the studio has said it will prioritise supporting affected team members during the transition.
The company has not released any further official statements about staffing numbers or specific project impacts.
For industry observers and Nintendo fans, MercurySteam’s announcement is a reminder of the volatility of production cycles even among studios with high-profile releases.
