What's Happening?
OtherSide Entertainment, the developer behind Thick as Thieves, has laid off 18 employees, leaving fewer than 10 staff members at the studio. This follows a previous round of layoffs involving 17 employees after the cancellation of a project codenamed
Argos. The studio's representative stated that there are currently no plans for future game development, and the remaining team is focused on updates for Thick as Thieves. The studio has faced challenges in the immersive sim genre, which has a niche market and lengthy development cycles. Despite a positive response to Thick as Thieves' initial campaign, the studio's current model is not seen as commercially viable.
Why It's Important?
The layoffs at OtherSide Entertainment highlight the difficulties faced by studios specializing in niche genres like immersive sims. These games often struggle to achieve commercial success due to their limited audience, making it challenging for developers to sustain operations. The situation at OtherSide reflects broader industry trends where studios must either produce major hits or face closure. This development could discourage other developers from investing in similar genres, potentially reducing the diversity of games available to consumers. The layoffs also underscore the volatility of the gaming industry, where even established studios can face significant financial challenges.
What's Next?
With the studio's future uncertain, the remaining employees at OtherSide Entertainment will likely focus on maintaining and updating Thick as Thieves. The gaming community may see further announcements regarding the studio's plans or potential restructuring. Industry observers will be watching to see if OtherSide can pivot to a more sustainable business model or if it will ultimately close. The outcome could influence other studios' strategies in the immersive sim genre and impact the types of games that are developed in the future.
