Thunderful has already cut back once this year, but now the team is being forced to do it again, which doesn’t bode well for them…

Thunderful was founded in 2018. Two studios merged: one was Image & Form (they developed Steamworld), and the other was Zonik (who previously created Fe). Now, Thunderful has announced a strategic restructuring program that will focus on publishing games from external, third-party developers. This will involve cutting back on in-house development, and thus the repeated use of mass layoffs, courtesy of “tough economic headwinds”.

Thunderful says that the shift to publishing will reduce costs (since they will no longer have to develop in-house), which should lead to greater flexibility and faster, more varied game releases. Just keep in mind that this will mean that most of Thunderful’s development brigade will no longer be needed, and that about 80-100 people will have to be laid off. As we are not talking about a AAA publisher, this is a significant number of employees!

“It is regrettable to have to announce a second restructuring of Thunderful in less than a year, but unfortunately we see no other alternatives to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the group. The strategic move to publish games from external partners allows us to reduce fixed costs, increase flexibility and better control our cash flow. We have many talented and dedicated employees, and it is with great regret that we are forced to part ways,” said Thunderful Group CEO Martin Walfisz in the restructuring announcement.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun pointed out that this is the second time this year that Thunderful has laid off employees. The first time was in January, when they had to lay off 20% of their staff because they had invested too much in the past few years (and therefore could not recoup it). This is common these days, as the huge market expansion due to the pandemic meant that no one could keep up.

They better not go bankrupt.

Source: PCGamer