The gaming industry is going through a rough patch, with layoffs and studio closures becoming more frequent. But for Rebellion, the creators of Atomfall and Sniper Elite, game development should be driven by passion, not financial volatility. The British studio is taking a stand against mass layoffs, ensuring that their teams feel secure and valued.

While Rebellion recently allowed players a sneak peek at their upcoming project, the British studio isn’t slowing down. In just 20 days, they will officially launch Atomfall, an open-world action game with strong Fallout inspirations. Known for the Sniper Elite series, this marks one of their boldest and most ambitious releases to date. However, this leap forward comes at a time of turmoil in the industry, where layoffs, studio shutdowns, and canceled projects have become alarmingly common. Rebellion, however, is choosing a different path—rather than hiring developers just to let them go, they are keeping their core team intact for future projects.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion, shared insights into the studio’s philosophy. He acknowledged that while their budgets are substantial, they are nowhere near the hundreds of millions that larger publishers invest. “We try to make a really good game that has a solid chance of being profitable. And that’s really what matters,” he explained. This measured approach has allowed Rebellion to remain financially stable without resorting to mass layoffs to balance the books.

For Rebellion, Team Stability Is the Priority

Over the past five years, Rebellion has focused on delivering high-quality, mid-scale games like Sniper Elite 5 and Evil Genius 2. Kingsley emphasized that this decision isn’t just about financial sustainability—it also reflects their creative vision. “I’d rather make a smaller, really great game than a massive one that loses sight of what truly matters: making sure players have fun,” he stated.

While much of Rebellion’s portfolio consists of sequels and established franchises, Kingsley highlighted that innovation is still a key priority. Their strategy is to devote about two-thirds of their development efforts to existing IPs while reserving the remaining third for experimental projects. However, they are always mindful of balancing creative risks with team stability. “We don’t want to hire and fire people all the time,” he reiterated.

With Atomfall set to launch on March 30, Rebellion continues to demonstrate that it’s possible to succeed in the gaming industry without mass layoffs. Their pragmatic approach to game development and business sustainability could serve as a model for other studios navigating an increasingly uncertain landscape.

Source: 3djuegos