Job News

Update: Gameloft confirms UK studio closure and Brisbane branch layoffs

"We are working with all employees, on a case by case basis, to find the best way to handle their situation in accordance with local employment regulations"

Update: Gameloft confirms UK studio closure and Brisbane branch layoffs

Update: Gameloft has confirmed to PocketGamer.biz that seven employees were affected by the UK studio closure a company representative has issued the following statement:

“As a company, we need to adapt our resources capacities and proceed with adjustments, in light of the fast-changing industry. In the B2B space, Gameloft is focusing its strategy on high added-value solutions such as tailored advertising solutions for brands and is focusing on a selection of priority markets.

“We are adjusting and redeploying our commercial network to reflect our priorities, and we have decided to create business hubs and rely on the most dynamic regions. This is unfortunately leading to the closure of our London commercial office. We are working with all employees, on a case by case basis, to find the best way to handle their situation in accordance with local employment regulations.

“We will continue serving the UK market for both our ads and distribution businesses from other European offices, as unfortunately, the level of business generated across both activities over the past two to three years no longer justifies to maintain a local presence for this market.

“We are creating business hubs and rely on the most dynamic regions to support our partners, and this way ensure that our commercial network, the biggest of any mobile game publishers, keeps bringing a unique support to game developers, mobile carriers and brands."

"Rescale"

Gameloft has also provided a statement regarding its Brisbane studio, confirming the layoffs:

“As a company, we need to constantly review our production capacities in light of the ever-changing market conditions, this is why we decided to rescale our Brisbane studio to fit its current activities. Such is unfortunately leading to let go some members of the game production team in the studio.

“The remaining team in Gameloft Brisbane will continue working on Ballistic Baseball and other unannounced projects. We are working with all employees, on a case by case basis, to find the best way to handle their situation in accordance with local employment regulations.”

Original Story: French publisher Gameloft has closed its UK studio as well as laying off all staff at the location.

Managing director John-Paul Burke confirmed in an emotional post to LinkedIn that the workplace shut down last week, where he thanked colleagues for their efforts and the opportunities given to him.

PocketGamer.biz has reached out to Gameloft for comment about the studio closure.

“Dream job”

“Unfortunately last week we closed Gameloft UK,” wrote Burke.

“What an amazing time we had there. For me as someone who has been playing Gameloft games from 2005, it was a dream job and I thank them for the opportunity.

“It gave me a fantastic platform and took me to beautiful cities and worked with amazing clients and colleagues. We had tremendous success and now it is on to the next exciting challenge.”

Brisbane layoffs

Gameloft has reportedly laid off a number of employees at its Brisbane office too.

As brought to light by Kotaku Australia, staff were made aware of the job losses in mid-November with 15 of the estimated 58 full-time employees let go.

The studio’s latest project was the sports mobile title Ballistic Baseball, which launched on Apple Arcade in September.

In March 2018, Gameloft closed the doors of its Madrid studio, resulting in 40 employees being terminated.


Deputy Editor

Matthew Forde is the deputy editor at PocketGamer.biz and also a member of the Pocket Gamer Podcast. You can find him on Twitter @MattForde64 talking about stats, data and everything pop culture related - particularly superheroes.