In a significant blow to the gaming community, Phoenix Labs, the developer behind Dauntless, has laid off over 50 employees, raising concerns about the future of both the studio and its flagship game. Sources indicate that this latest round of layoffs could signal the imminent closure of Phoenix Labs, although its parent company, Forte, has not yet confirmed this development.
Details of the Layoffs
According to former employees, the recent layoffs have left the studio without any active developers. Many are expressing disbelief that this was framed as a round of layoffs rather than an outright closure. This follows a previous wave of job cuts in May 2024, when Forte, a blockchain firm that acquired Phoenix Labs in mid-2023, reduced its workforce by over 100 employees.
After the internal announcement, remaining staff communicated the news on their Dauntless Discord server. They expressed deep sadness over the layoffs, stating, “Earlier today, the majority of our development team was impacted by significant reductions at Phoenix Labs. This has been a heartbreaking decision for us.”
Future of Dauntless
While there is uncertainty surrounding Dauntless, the studio’s statement reassured fans that they would provide updates as more information becomes available. The message highlighted their gratitude for the community’s support during these challenging times.
Founded in April 2014, Phoenix Labs gained recognition for both Fae Farm and Dauntless. However, following its acquisition by Forte, several projects in development were canceled. With estimates suggesting that over 700 jobs have been lost across various studios in 2025 alone, the impact on the gaming industry is becoming increasingly evident.
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