Published Time: 08-11-2025, 16:45

Bithell Games, an independent video game developer renowned for Thomas Was Alone and John Wick: Hex, has announced major layoffs, affecting most of its full-time employees. The reductions come as the studio struggles to secure funding for a new large-scale project. Despite the staff cuts, Bithell Games confirmed that support for its current self-published titles will continue uninterrupted.

Funding Challenges Lead to Staff Reductions

In a transparent statement posted on Bluesky, studio founder Mike Bithell revealed that eleven full-time positions were made redundant due to difficulties securing investment partners for an upcoming ambitious game.

“Leading up to the release of our latest title, Tron: Catalyst, it became evident that we were not immune to the funding challenges many game developers face in 2024 and 2025,” Bithell explained.

He acknowledged the emotional and professional toll of the decision, stressing the studio’s efforts to provide severance packages and open communication to support the departing staff. “This was an incredible team of exceptionally talented people,” Bithell added, highlighting their contributions.

Impact on Existing Games and Studio Operations

Bithell reassured players and fans that the layoffs would not disrupt access to or support for the studio’s existing games. Titles such as Thomas Was Alone, Tron: Identity, John Wick: Hex, and The Banished Vault remain fully supported and available to the community.

“Our commitment to our current games and their players remains strong despite these difficult changes,” Bithell emphasized.

Staff Perspectives: A Senior Animator’s Reflection

Among those affected by the layoffs is Rich Stubbs, a senior animator at Bithell Games. On LinkedIn, Stubbs shared his sentiments, expressing pride in his work, especially his role as the sole animator on a Disney-affiliated project.

“Like many in the industry today, I have been made redundant,” Stubbs wrote.

He described his tenure at Bithell Games as “a genuinely great ride” and considers his contributions a source of pride. “Being the sole animator on a Disney project is a badge of honour I will wear with immense pride,” Stubbs said.

He also extended heartfelt thanks and respect to his colleagues and the studio for the opportunities and experiences over the years.

Bithell Games: A History of Innovation

Founded in 2013 after the success of Thomas Was Alone, Bithell Games has gained recognition for its narrative-driven indie titles and creative approach to game design. The studio’s portfolio includes Tron: Identity, a story-rich adventure, and John Wick: Hex, a tactical action game.

The recent layoffs at Bithell Games mirror a broader trend within the video game industry, where many independent developers face funding difficulties amid changing market conditions in 2024 and 2025.

Source: Games Industry – Bithell Games announces layoffs, “majority of full-time staff” made redundant

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Tequila Works, the Spanish game studio behind acclaimed titles like Rime, Gylt, and Deadlight, is auctioning off its intellectual property following its insolvency filing in 2024. The studio, which has been struggling under prolonged market challenges, has decided to put its valuable game rights and in-development projects up for sale on the auction platform Escrapalia.

Among the items up for grabs are some of Tequila Works’ most notable games, including:

• Deadlight – the studio’s first title, a side-scrolling survival horror game.
• Rime – an atmospheric adventure game that captivated players with its beautiful, open-world exploration.
• Gylt – a horror adventure game that has received praise for its eerie storytelling and unique art style.

In addition to these established titles, the auction also includes several in-progress projects:

• The Ancient Mariner
• Dungeon Tour
• Brawler Crawler

Tequila Works’ financial troubles have been brewing for some time. Despite success with Rime and Gylt, the studio struggled to stay afloat amid challenging market conditions. In 2024, they were forced to file for insolvency after facing significant financial difficulties.

The company’s troubles were compounded by its involvement with Riot Forge, the now-defunct publishing label under Riot Games. Tequila Works was behind Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story, one of the final releases under Riot Forge before the label was shut down in January 2024. This failure, combined with underperforming games from Riot Forge, played a role in Tequila Works’ downfall.

In 2022, Tencent acquired a controlling stake in Tequila Works, a move that seemed natural given Tencent’s stake in Riot Games. However, this connection hasn’t been enough to shield the studio from the broader contraction in the gaming industry. Factors such as the failure of Gylt—which originally launched as a Google Stadia exclusive—and the lackluster reception of other Riot Forge titles contributed to the studio’s current state.

As Tequila Works auctions off its game rights, the future of these beloved titles—and the potential for new ownership to carry them forward—remains uncertain. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see where these games and projects end up, and whether the studio’s iconic creations will find new life under fresh leadership.

Source: Engadget – The rights for Tequila Works’s games are up for auction after insolvency filing

The post Tequila Works Puts Game Rights Up for Auction After Insolvency Filing appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.