Multiple Meta-Owned Game Studios Hit With Layoffs

Developers at two of Meta’s virtual reality game development studios are posting online that massive layoffs have happened and that the studios might be shutting down completely.

On January 13, multiple developers from Twisted Pixel and Sanzaru Games posted online that they had been laid off from the studios. Many of the affected staff have suggested that both studios, and others owned by the company formerly known as Facebook, might be completely shutting down. Meta has not confirmed this. Kotaku has reached out to the company for more information about the future of the VR studios and the publicly confirmed layoffs.

“Welp. As many will hear soon, several Meta game studios were closed today, including Sanzaru. It was an amazing team of powerhouse talent, and I’m really glad to have gotten to know everyone there,” posted senior-level designer Ray West on LinkedIn on Tuesday. 

“I’ve just been laid off. It appears the entire Twisted Pixel games studio has been shut down. Sanzaru Games, too,” posted another developer on Twitter.

This follows reporting on Monday that Meta was looking to pivot away from VR and the metaverse to AI and augmented reality tech after that part of the company lost $4 billion. Meta is reportedly looking to cut 10% to 15% of its VR sector, which includes 15,000 employees.

This is a developing story…