The curtain falls on Humble Games.
Logline:
All 36 employees at Humble Games publishing have been laid off, sparking controversy over the true nature of the company’s future. Official statements claim restructuring, but insiders argue it’s a total shutdown.
Breakdown:
- Humble Games publishing staff were informed of layoffs at 9 AM.
- Company claims restructuring; insiders claim complete shutdown.
- Humble’s statement attributes layoffs to economic challenges.
- Parent company: Ziff Davis, owner of Gamer Network.
- Ex-creative lead Chris Radley disputes restructuring claims.
- Unnamed employee calls restructuring claims an effort to “save face.”
- No new projects signed for 2026 or 2027.
- Former staff allege irrational decision jeopardizes indie game development.
Plot Beats:
- Humble Games releases included titles like Signalis, Forager, Slay the Spire, and Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus.
- Previous round of layoffs occurred last November with unspecified staff dismissals.
Buzz and Highlights:
- Humble’s closure impacts the indie game publishing landscape dramatically.
- Employees express frustration over business decisions favoring profits over creativity.
- Ex-staff voice concerns over the industry’s volatility and its focus on exponential growth.
Production Notes:
- Humble Games operated under The Humble Bundle brand.
- Ziff Davis previously attempted to sell Humble Games twice without success.
- Remaining projects to be handled by The Powell Group, a third-party consulting firm.
- No future project signings signal a significant shift away from game publishing.
Closing Credits:
The fate of Humble Games highlights the rocky terrain of indie game publishing amid economic strains. Stay tuned for more developments as the industry adapts to these changes. For now, the focus shifts to those left in the wake of this sweeping restructure.
Read the full statement by Humble
More insights from Game Developer
Detailed employee reactions on LinkedIn
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