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ArenaNet, the video game maker behind Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2, confirmed on Monday the layoff of employees and the cancellation of projects.
The confirmation follows a report by Kotaku last week. The studio based in Bellevue, Washington State, did not specify the number of employees affected. The canceled projects had not been announced yet. ArenaNet, which employs more than 400 people according to LinkedIn, is owned by South Korean video game developer NCSoft.
"This is part of a larger organizational restructuring within NCSoft in the West, but Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 game services will not be affected, and no future gaming content will will be canceled, "said the company in a statement provided to GeekWire.
Citing an internal email, Kotaku reported that Songyee Yoon, CEO of NCSoft West, told his employees, "The revenue from our live gaming business is shrinking, our society is aging, delays in PC and mobile development have created new losses the West has risen … What we are is not sustainable and will not prepare us for future success. "
Colleagues and fans went on Twitter to show their support to concerned employees using the hashtag # Love4ArenaNet.
Dear friends, today will be very difficult for all of us, whether people stay in the business or not.
If you want to spread love and appreciation for the developers, the stories we've told and the stories we will not be able to tell, tweet some positive thoughts under # Love4ArenaNet aujourd & # 39; hui. ✨
– Jennifer Scheurle (@Gaohmee) February 25, 2019
Senior narrative designer Aaron Linde announced that he was leaving ArenaNet on Twitter.
Welp, I spent the weekend thinking about it and decided to leave ArenaNet. Decision really difficult. I adore these people. I will miss them so much. pic.twitter.com/oa17GYUhGf
– Aaron Linde (@aaronlinde) February 25, 2019
This was the third recent restructuring of the video game industry. Last week, EA's EA FireMonkeys Australian studio also announced layoffs affecting between 40 and 50 people, according to the organization Game Workers Unite Australia. Activision Blizzard also announced earlier this month that it will reduce its workforce by 8%.
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