Daybreak Game Company Confirms Layoffs, Estimated At About 70 Employees

By Jason Winter, News Editor December 7, 2018

It's been a rough year for Daybreak Game Company, and Christmas is about to get a little rougher for a large chunk of its (former) employees. The developer is undergoing yet another round of layoffs, which we first learned about via former Daybreak and Sony Online Entertainment CEO John Smedley, who tweeted:

70 people is a lot

— John Smedley (@j_smedley) December 7, 2018

really really really angry right now. It's December FFS and this is how you treat employees @DaybreakGames come on.

— John Smedley (@j_smedley) December 7, 2018

We reached out to Daybreak and received the following message:

We are optimizing our structure to ensure we best position ourselves for continued success in the years to come. This effort has required us to make some changes within the organization and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted in this difficult time. As we look to improve efficiencies and realign resources, we remain focused on supporting our existing games and development of our future titles.

Daybreak would not confirm the number of people let go, or what teams they were a part of, but Smedley estimated that 70 people represented "about 30%" of the company.

We'll update this piece if we receive any more information. In the meantime, we wish the best for those impacted by these layoffs.

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In this article: EverQuest 2, EverQuest, PlanetSide 2, H1Z1, Daybreak Game Company.

About the Author

Jason Winter, News Editor
Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.

Jhon Cena 4 years ago

PIPIPIPIPI is not lying, what I heard also!

Narkcurse 4 years ago

I would be surprised if Daybreak make it to the end of 2019, they haven't had any new game's out for quite a while. Plus they've closed down a few of their current games that haven't got a decent player base to keep profits going.

Dopa 4 years ago

The sad part is that it's not due to some sudden financial loss and unexpected it, but as evidenced by their past - it's simply to maximize revenue by saving 30% of the staff-expenses, so fewer requests for a raise or early paycheck for presents and because crazy increase in steam sales as gifts to others or self because christmas-money, kids love h1z1. What's more sad is the smaller staff will NOT make bug fixing any faster and new features will roll out less often and slower. Also probably - when they will patch major bugs, then users are gonna RIOT, because it broke things even worse and new bugs come out, so now they'll slowly release a bug-fix and then another a bug fix for the previous bux fix and meanwhile finishing developing the third bux fix for the bux fix of the bug fix, as a christmas gift, what good guys. Hot available for just 5$.

rickshaw 4 years ago

Its funny how this always happens during Christmas period. You've got to be a Real Grinch Boss to do this at this time. Try maybe, Next year!

View 2 replies

Horrific 4 years ago

The sad part is : the people who made bad decisions that lead to the dev studio being unprofitable probably did not get the boot

This year it seems to be a running theme to fire the large amounts of staff just before christmas bonus pays etc
scummy move if you ask me
Reto.Moto the developers of another free to play game Heroes and Generals also laid off half of their staff just a week ago
The only difference here : Daybreak games probably has a considerable amount of programmers etc left and probably only cut down on PR,Art designers etc while Reto.Moto basicly fired a large amount of their programmers

I dont know how common it is in the industry to cut off people just before christmas to avoid bonus payments etc but It leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth