Embracer cuts jobs at Beamdog

[Infinitron]

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/busin...r-s-gate-enhanced-edition-i-developer-beamdog

Embracer cuts jobs at Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition developer Beamdog​

Embracer purchased the studio for an undisclosed fee in April 2022.

Embracer Group has made layoffs at Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition and Mythforce developer Beamdog less than two years after acquiring the studio.

The Swedish conglomerate purchased Beamdog for an undisclosed fee through its Aspyr Media subsidiary in April 2022. Now, according to multiple Linkedin posts from former Beamdog staffers, the company has laid off 26 members of the dev team including producers, artists, and QA staff.

Former Beamdog associate producer Misia Bloniarz noted that "on Friday, 26 people were laid off at Beamdog and I unfortunately am one of them." The news was corroborated by those affected including the studio's former QA manager Erin McIntyre and associate graphic artist Jill Hollet.

"Regrettably, as part of the Embracer Group's ongoing restructuring initiative, Beamdog made the difficult decision to release 26 employees, myself among them," wrote Hollet. "I am incredibly grateful to them for affording me the opportunity to embark upon my professional journey in the industry. It has been an honor to collaborate with such exceptional individuals during my time there."

Embracer continues putting studios to the sword​

This is the latest in a string of layoffs and studio closures Embracer has sanctioned, with the company attempting to streamline operations to become a "highly cash-flow generative business."

In June, the company said it would be switching over from its "current heavy-investment mode" after spending years splashing the cash on major game studios, publishers, and franchises.

After ballooning exponentially, company CEO Lars Wingefors said Embracer needed to divest or close some of its studios and terminate or pause ongoing development projects with "low projected returns" to "better leverage our scale, the quality of our portfolio and our capabilities."

Those ongoing restructuring efforts have already resulted in the closure of notable studios like Volition and Campfire Cabal and layoffs at other companies including Gearbox Publishing and Rainbow Studios.

A recent report from Reuters also indicated Embracer is considering the sale of Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment just over two years after it purchased the company for $1.38 billion.

Game Developer has reached out to Embracer for comment on the Beamdog layoffs and will update this story when we hear back.

 

[Gargaune]

This sucks, I was kinda worried from the moment they got bought. You lot can screech all you want, but I like Beamdog's EEs and I'm still hoping they'll get their hands on that IWD2 code. And make more NWN EE content. Wouldn't say no to a NWN2 EE either...

 

[whydoibother]

Damn, Embracer ran out of steam pretty fast. Looked like they will conquer all of the B tier studios in Europe, but I guess the increased interest rates for loans is stalling them.

 

[Morgoth]

Prolly mostly the MythForce staff.

Wouldn't mind if they just focus on more NWN premium modules or some shit.

 

[whydoibother]

Prolly mostly the MythForce staff.

Bruh how do you go from Neverwinter Nights to this

 

[Shaki]

Didn't cut enough jobs, they're still alive. Finish them.

 

[Zlaja]

First Volition and now this. Embracer/Sweden doing God's work.

Spoiler

 

[Arbiter]

Not surprising, Beamdog has run out of games to release as EEs.

 

[Maxie]

I love the name Embracer it's so ironic
The studios they buy instantly fall

 

[Fedora Master]

Scourge and Purge!

 

[Catacombs]

Beamdog has run out of games to release as EEs.

They can still do Remastered Enhanced Editions.

 

[Arbiter]

They can still do Remastered Enhanced Editions.

Not sure if many customers would be willing to buy EEs again.

 

[Catacombs]

Slap "Remastered" and "Game of the Year Edition" and people will buy them.

 

[Kev Inkline]

This is a change I embrace.

 

[Kev Inkline]

Damn, Embracer ran out of steam pretty fast. Looked like they will conquer all of the B tier studios in Europe, but I guess the increased interest rates for loans is stalling them.

What do you mean, their games are still available at Steam afaik?


Two dad jokes in a row!

 

[deuxhero]

They can still do Remastered Enhanced Editions.

Not sure if many customers would be willing to buy EEs again.

I'd buy a NWN2 EE if it had a turn based mode compatible with existing modules and supported custom caster classes. Maybe D&D Tactics port to modern systems. Doubt either would happen though.

 

[La vie sexuelle]

I love the name Embracer it's so ironic
The studios they buy instantly fall

It's a vampire embrace.
I see three paths for Beamdog:

1. A parody of life consisting in supporting already existing studies.
2. Temporary support for existing remasters, then closed.
3. NEW RPG

Since I remember Beamdog's recent RPG ideas, I personally prefer option number 2.

Does anyone still remember Paladin-Ilithid?

 

[whydoibother]

Does anyone still remember Paladin-Ilithid?

Is this from their pitch for Baldur's Gate 3?
I wish Obsidian also released their pitch.

 

[King Crispy]

After ballooning exponentially, company CEO Lars Wingefors

He probably needs to cut down on his carbs.

 

[La vie sexuelle]

Does anyone still remember Paladin-Ilithid?

Is this from their pitch for Baldur's Gate 3?
I wish Obsidian also released their pitch.

I don't know. The post doesn't specify this. But you gave me an idea - maybe Larian heard about Beamdog's ideas and implemented them into his own project? If so, it would be very ironic.

 

[Saark]

Not gonna lie, that is some godawful artistry. Proportions are all over the place, so is the perspective in 2 of the pictures. If this is their best work, then nothing of value was lost.

 

[Infinitron]

The Paladin Illithid is probably from Planescape: Unraveled.

 

[King Crispy]

Wait, Ravel from PS:T isn't pronounced as in the word unravel, is it?

I always thought it was Ruh-VEL.

 

[La vie sexuelle]

Not gonna lie, that is some godawful artistry. Proportions are all over the place, so is the perspective in 2 of the pictures. If this is their best work, then nothing of value was lost.

This "Artist @ kitfox games - gendertrash bisexual she/they " also did few portaits for Baldur's Gate: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Thea_Kent

Then "She" did this:

 

[Maxie]

Wait, Ravel from PS:T isn't pronounced as in the word unravel, is it?

I always thought it was Ruh-VEL.

one day anglos will come to understand that it's perfectly possible to have predictable spelling and that their duh ruh nuh buh guh nonsense makes them jumbo cringe