MercurySteam, the Madrid-based studio known for co-developing Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch, has announced a round of staff redundancies.
The studio, founded in 2002 and noted for work on titles such as Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Metroid: Samus Returns, released Metroid Dread on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021.
The game marked MercurySteam's high-profile collaboration with Nintendo's Metroid team.
In a company statement shared publicly, MercurySteam framed the layoffs as part of production-cycle adjustments common in the games industry while acknowledging the human cost.
The studio said that even though workforce changes can be a typical part of project lifecycles, the decision remains difficult and painful for everyone involved.
The statement expressed deep respect and gratitude for affected staff, calling attention to their contributions to the studio's history and projects.
MercurySteam also committed to supporting employees through the transition.
The company asked other studios and publishers seeking experienced developers to reach out directly and provided a contact address to facilitate introductions and job leads.
The studio said it would do everything possible to help affected professionals find new opportunities in the industry.
For context, MercurySteam rose to international prominence with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (published by Konami) and later with Metroid: Samus Returns on the Nintendo 3DS.
Metroid Dread, released exclusively for Nintendo Switch in October 2021, represented a major return for the 2D Metroid series and reinforced MercurySteam’s profile as a AAA-quality studio working alongside Nintendo.
The announcement arrives amid a broader period of restructuring across the games industry.
MercurySteam’s public outreach to potential employers and partners is a direct attempt to connect laid-off developers with hiring teams.
Studios or companies interested in hiring experienced MercurySteam staff were invited to contact the studio via the address provided in the company statement.
As this situation develops, MercurySteam’s prior achievements — both in platform history and high-profile Nintendo collaborations — are likely to shape how former employees position themselves in the job market.
This report will be updated with further verified information as it becomes available.
The studio, founded in 2002 and noted for work on titles such as Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Metroid: Samus Returns, released Metroid Dread on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021.
The game marked MercurySteam's high-profile collaboration with Nintendo's Metroid team.
In a company statement shared publicly, MercurySteam framed the layoffs as part of production-cycle adjustments common in the games industry while acknowledging the human cost.
The studio said that even though workforce changes can be a typical part of project lifecycles, the decision remains difficult and painful for everyone involved.
The statement expressed deep respect and gratitude for affected staff, calling attention to their contributions to the studio's history and projects.
MercurySteam also committed to supporting employees through the transition.
The company asked other studios and publishers seeking experienced developers to reach out directly and provided a contact address to facilitate introductions and job leads.
The studio said it would do everything possible to help affected professionals find new opportunities in the industry.
For context, MercurySteam rose to international prominence with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (published by Konami) and later with Metroid: Samus Returns on the Nintendo 3DS.
Metroid Dread, released exclusively for Nintendo Switch in October 2021, represented a major return for the 2D Metroid series and reinforced MercurySteam’s profile as a AAA-quality studio working alongside Nintendo.
The announcement arrives amid a broader period of restructuring across the games industry.
MercurySteam’s public outreach to potential employers and partners is a direct attempt to connect laid-off developers with hiring teams.
Studios or companies interested in hiring experienced MercurySteam staff were invited to contact the studio via the address provided in the company statement.
As this situation develops, MercurySteam’s prior achievements — both in platform history and high-profile Nintendo collaborations — are likely to shape how former employees position themselves in the job market.
This report will be updated with further verified information as it becomes available.
