It seems as though video game industry layoffs are almost inevitable these days, for studios both large and small, and this is something that KO_OP, the small indie studio behind 3D puzzle game, GNOG, and the co-op space-faring cozy game, Young Suns, has had to face recently.
The studio recently announced that it would be laying off 13 staff members, but instead of the sudden, sweeping layoffs that decimate studios and livelihoods alike, KO_OP says that it has conducted its layoffs "democratically." The layoffs will take place over the course of "the next few months." In a recent statement published to the studio's official Bluesky account, KO_OP explains that it had to proceed with layoffs in order to survive as a studio, "rather than maximizing profits." It says that the layoffs were conducted democratically, with members appointing a group to plan for the possibility of layoffs, and ratified the decision made by the elected group.
The layoffs also extend beyond regular employees to team leads and executives. The entire team at KO_OP was supposedly aware of the studio's financial situation and knew about the impending layoffs "well in advance." KO_OP is also still legally obligated to provide affected team members with their agreed profit share from Young Suns, which is currently exclusive to Xbox Game Pass.
The full statement from KO_OP follows. Read full story
