Funcom Announces Layoffs Despite Dune: Awakening's Success
Game developer Funcom has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that the company is undergoing a significant restructuring, which will unfortunately lead to a wave of layoffs. This news comes even as their latest title, the MMORPG Dune: Awakening, has been hailed as Funcom's “biggest game launch in 32 years of creating games.”
According to Funcom, the reorganization and redistribution of resources across projects are necessary as Dune: Awakening transitions from its development phase into long-term live service support. The changes are also connected to preparations for the game's console release, which is expected next year.
What Does This Mean for Funcom and Dune: Awakening?
While Funcom plans to provide support to all affected employees, the exact number of staff impacted by these changes remains undisclosed. The company stated it is not yet prepared to offer further comments on the situation, only adding:
"This difficult process is starting now, and we cannot accurately assess the consequences yet. We are trying to find new opportunities for everyone affected."
Dune: Awakening quickly became Funcom's fastest-selling game, attracting over one million players within approximately a week of its release in June. More recently, the game received a major update titled “Chapter 2” and its first substantial expansion, “Lost Booty,” which introduced a standalone adventure.
The move highlights a common challenge in the game industry: even successful launches can lead to shifts in staffing needs as projects evolve from intensive development to ongoing maintenance and content delivery. For players, this restructuring is likely aimed at optimizing the team for the game's future, including its upcoming console debut and continued live service support, ideally leading to a more stable and enriched experience on Arrakis.
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