Luna Abyss Development Team Laid Off One Month After Game Launch
The entire nine-person development team behind the shooter game Luna Abyss has been laid off, approximately one month after its release. Kwalee Labs CEO Hollie Emery announced the news, stating the decision was beyond their control despite the game receiving critical praise. Luna Abyss, which took seven years to develop, struggled commercially, peaking at 317 concurrent players on Steam.
The full development team for the shooter game Luna Abyss, consisting of nine individuals, has been laid off one month after the game's release. Kwalee Labs CEO Hollie Emery shared this information via a LinkedIn post, noting that the decision was "completely outside of their control."
Luna Abyss launched to critical acclaim, achieving an 81 rating on Metacritic. Despite positive reviews, the game's commercial performance appears to have been limited, evidenced by a peak of 317 concurrent players on Steam.
The team dedicated seven years to the game's development, which began in 2019. All nine team members are now seeking new employment opportunities.
Luna Abyss is currently available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, priced at $29.99.
This news occurs amidst a period of widespread layoffs within the gaming industry. Reports indicate upcoming "significant" layoffs at Bungie as Destiny 2 support scales down, and several Xbox studios, including Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine, are reportedly facing potential closures or negotiations to go independent, which could also lead to significant job reductions.
(Source: IGN)
