Deus Ex Developer Lays Off 124 Employees; 19-Year Veteran Forced to Leave

Having come a long way since the era of Chinese Paladin, I have witnessed too many studios fade away like meteors. Now seeing veteran overseas powerhouses fall, I surprisingly feel a sense of shared misery. The industry is turbulent; whether domestic or overseas, developers are all like duckweed adrift.

Eidos Montreal has announced layoffs again, with 124 people forced to depart. This is the third round of layoffs since the acquisition, with nearly 300 people having lost their jobs in total. Rumor has it that previous layoffs led to the direct cancellation of unannounced new projects, which is truly chilling. The former glory of Deus Ex: Human Revolution is no more, leaving only a mess behind to sigh over.

Veterans who served at the company for as long as 19 years can now only helplessly turn and leave. Looking at the group photo in front of the Tomb Raider poster, it feels as though that golden age has drifted far away. Beyond nostalgia, the cold blade of capital has severed the dream bonds of countless individuals.

Speaking of the games themselves, since 2021 they have participated more in the form of Microsoft outsourcing. Behind Grounded and Fable, there are their busy yet invisible figures. But looking at it calmly, while relying on major studios ensures survival, it is easy to lose one's own soul. Such days of living under another's roof are ultimately not a sustainable long-term strategy.

We look forward to new Deus Ex titles, and even more hope that developers have a stable creative environment. Domestic games should also take this as a warning; do not let nostalgia become leeks to be harvested. May the road ahead be long, and may every craftsman holding fast to their ideals be treated with gentleness.