In a tragic turn of events for video game development, Pendulo Studios, the Spanish developer known for games such as Blacksad: Under the Skin and Tintin Reporter – The Pharaoh’s Cigars, has announced a layoff plan affecting 33 workers, which accounts for 43% of its workforce.
The studio cited production conditions, the lukewarm reception of Tintin, and issues stemming from its relationship with Microids, the French publisher of the game, as the reasons for the layoffs. The CSVI union has pointed fingers at chaotic management decisions, neglect of future production plans, and a lack of communication as the primary causes of the studio’s downfall.
Negotiations for Tintin and The Pharaoh’s Cigars projects reportedly led to excessive workloads, resulting in crunch and rushed releases that impacted the quality of the games and ultimately led to poor sales. With the remaining staff now faced with heavier workloads due to the reduced team size, there are concerns about the lack of plans to redefine roles or increase pay for the additional responsibilities.
This news serves as another blow to the video game industry in 2024, a year marked by project cancellations and layoffs. It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by developers in an increasingly competitive and demanding market.