It appears that the anticipated respite from layoffs may never materialize, as Rocksteady, the studio behind Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is said to have succumbed to the trend.
According to a recent report by Eurogamer, Rocksteady’s Quality Assurance department has undergone significant downsizing, shrinking from 33 employees to just 15 over the past month. Attributed to the underwhelming box office performance of Suicide Squad, Eurogamer cites poor gross sales as a primary reason for the studio’s restructuring, which has led to widespread layoffs across various divisions, including QA, with unclear implications on specific teams and personnel. A colleague publicly announced on social media that they had been informed about their impending redundancy while dealing with a personal matter during parental leave?
Sources at Rocksteady have revealed to Eurogamer that the departure of numerous QA team members, including those with specialized knowledge, has resulted in an increased workload for remaining staff, who are now tasked with covering the gaps. Several long-serving employees, who have dedicated more than five years to Rocksteady, are among those affected by the cuts. While employees have expressed concerns about the impact of layoffs on product quality, senior administration has reportedly acknowledged that the company’s high standards will persist despite these changes. As of yet, an official announcement from Rocksteady has not been forthcoming.
An earlier report by Bloomberg examined what went awry with Suicide Squad’s development, also suggesting that Warner Bros. Despite initial hopes of increased studio collaborations in the video game industry, a shift in sentiment suggests that job cuts may still be on the table.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League debuted earlier this year, marking a notable departure from Rocksteady’s signature focus on single-player experiences, as they ventured into the realm of live-service co-op gaming. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and fans, the project’s attempts at revitalization were met with limited success, ultimately leading to a substantial financial loss for Warner Bros., reportedly amounting to $200 million. income.
