Key Takeaways
- Sharkmob has let go of most of its staff from its London location following the cancelation of an unannounced triple-A title.
- The development of Exoborne and the Malmo studio remain unaffected.
- The live-service sci-fi extraction shooter Exoborne is still aiming for a 2025 release.
Sharkmob, the Tencent subsidiary responsible for the upcoming tactical shooter Exoborne, has released the majority of its staff from its London location after the cancelation of an unannounced triple-A title. Parent company Tencent confirmed that the development of Exoborne and the Malmo-based studio responsible for it remain unaffected.
The cancelation of Sharkmob’s unannounced game was revealed in October 2024, with an unclear picture of what the shift in strategy might mean for the organization’s headcount. The studio, founded in 2017 by veterans from Massive and IO Interactive, was acquired by gaming and tech giant Tencent in 2019, before opening its London arm in 2020. The studio had previously released Bloodhunt, a battle royale game set in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe.
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As reported by PocketGamer, Tencent has confirmed the headcount reduction. “In line with many studios, Sharkmob has been impacted by the difficult conditions across the video gaming market. As a result, regrettably, Sharkmob has had to make a reduction in headcount in its London office. Tencent remains committed to Sharkmob and the launch of its upcoming game, Exoborne,” the company said. Although neither the exact number of employees released nor the long-term fate of the UK studio have been identified, a number of ex-employees reported on social media that most of the staff has been let go. The move reflects the continuing trend of gaming industry layoffs.
Sharkmob Announces Layoffs as Industry Contraction Continues
With over 23,000 positions eliminated between 2023 and September 2024, the gaming industry remains in a state of upheaval. Widespread acquisitions by major parent companies like Microsoft, Sony, Embracer Group, and Tencent followed a pandemic-era gaming boom. The failure of market trends to support this rapid expansion and consolidation has led many companies to take drastic measures to preserve stock valuations, canceling games, shuttering studios, and reducing staff size across departments. Notable studio closures have included Arkane Austin, Riot Forge, Ready at Dawn, and Firewalk Studios.
While Sharkmob is trimming its release slate and associated staff, players can still expect to see Exoborne hitting shelves sometime in 2025. Whether the studio intends to ramp up production on other titles at that point or focus on supporting and expanding its live service operations with Exoborne, remains to be seen. Given the volatile state of the industry as a whole and continued speculation of developer acquisitions, it’s probable that the studio will want to ensure the success of its flagship title before taking any other risks.
