Crystal Dynamics, the development team behind the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, has made yet another set of layoffs. Earlier this year, they laid off staff in March, then last year in November and August, which would make this the fourth recent round of restructuring the studio has undergone. Although last year their work on the Perfect Dark remake was shuttered along with the game itself due to publisher Microsoft’s actions, they have asserted that despite this round of firings, Lara Croft will still be making her debut in India in Catalyst, and reprising her role in their remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remake.
Crystal Dynamics posted on LinkedIn yesterday that they were parting ways with 20 team members, who they say were necessary to let go. They don’t say why these staff members were fired, however, only that they are constantly evaluating the goals of the studio. It is essentially the same announcement that they’ve posted the last few times; an expression of condolences for the laid-off staff, an acknowledgement of business conditions, and some sort of outreach to the gaming community. So far, over 60 employees across different departments have been affected by the layoffs, and people do not seem to be assuaged the studio’s assurances. Both in the comments under the LinkedIn post, as well those from other publications on X, the sentiment toward Crystal Dynamics doesn’t lean positively. Users point out the unfavorable optics having multiple rounds of layoffs in under year and cast their doubts on the likelihood of success of their current projects. Regardless, the studio has remained steadfast in their work, according to them, and have not announced any delays. All of this comes in the wake of several other layoffs in the industry, such as with Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Embark, as well as bizarre re-hiring at Krafton.