Playtonic Redundancies Highlight Ongoing Game Industry Layoffs Amid New Nintendo Switch 2 Projects

Playtonic, the UK-based developer widely recognized for the platformer Yooka-Laylee and its indie publishing label Playtonic Friends, is the latest studio to experience job losses amidst an ongoing wave of video game industry layoffs.

As Playtonic prepares for the release of new titles, including a highly anticipated remake for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, multiple staff members have confirmed on social media that they have been made redundant. The news emerged through a series of LinkedIn and Bluesky posts, including those from Steve James, former community manager at Playtonic, who departed the company earlier this month.

In his public statements, James reflected on the difficult situation, noting, "This should have been a week focused on positivity for me, but instead it's overshadowed by concern for my former colleagues.

Many talented people are now at risk, and I encourage anyone who can to support them in finding new opportunities." Several affected Playtonic employees have shared their situations online, signaling a challenging period for the studio.

Brand manager Anni Valkama has been actively amplifying job search efforts of her colleagues, including Junior VFX Artist Joupin Ahmed, Assistant Producer Mae Davidson, and UI Artist James Feakins, who have all indicated they are seeking new roles or are at risk of redundancy. Despite these hardships, Playtonic Friends continues its publishing work and is preparing to launch Castle Pixel's Western-inspired life/farming simulation, Cattle Country.

On the development front, Playtonic’s main team is working on Yooka-Replaylee, a full remake of Yooka-Laylee, which is slated for release on Nintendo Switch 2.

This upcoming hardware release has positioned Playtonic as one of the early contributors to the Switch 2's anticipated library. The redundancies at Playtonic underscore a broader trend in the video game sector, as a succession of industry giants, such as Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn, have also reported significant layoffs in recent weeks.

Similar cuts have impacted game journalism, with long-standing publication Polygon announcing staff reductions following an acquisition by Valnet from Vox Media. Gaming professionals and fans alike continue to express concern for those affected by these changes.

As the industry faces ongoing restructuring, the hope remains that impacted Playtonic staff will find new opportunities within the vibrant gaming community.

For now, Playtonic presses ahead with its upcoming titles while navigating the complexities affecting studios across the globe.

The company’s managing director, Gavin Price, has been contacted for comment regarding the situation.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Playtonic Yooka-Replaylee UK Yooka-Laylee Playtonic Friends Castle Pixel Cattle Country Steve James Anni Valkama EA Respawn Polygon Vox Media Valnet