Metroid Dread hit with developer lay-off

Metroid Fear Developer MercurySteam has announced layoffs at the company, which it described as a “workforce adjustment process.” MercurySteam partnered with Nintendo on Metroid Fear In 2021, and before that, continue Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS in 2017. While the company is an independent studio, it has worked closely with major publishers like Nintendo and Konami over the years.

following Metroid FearMercurySteam released Blade of Fire In 2025. As the original IP, Blade of Fire Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, excluding Nintendo Switch. Published by 505 Games, the title struggled to find an audience, and parent company Digital Bros noted in a press release that the game's poor performance led to “higher-than-expected drop-offs”.

related to

Nintendo reveals Switch 2 bundle ahead of price hike

A new Nintendo Switch 2 bundle has been revealed, and it could be the best possible deal for those planning to buy before the price goes up this year.

Cut to MercurySteam

In a post on LinkedIn, MercurySteam announced layoffs at the company. The Metroid Fear The developer noted that these types of layoffs are common in the video game industry between production cycles, while also stating that “it's a difficult and painful situation, though.” The studio did not indicate how many people were laid off, but noted its commitment to finding new jobs for those affected by the situation. MercurySteam's post also includes an email address for potential hires to reach about hiring employees fired from the studio.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)

Layoffs have unfortunately become a common problem in the video game industry over the past few years. Companies of all sizes have been affected, with even Epic Games announcing mass layoffs in March. This is a sign of trouble overall, and it remains to be seen what effect these layoffs will have on the industry as a whole. Fewer people working on video games inevitably results in fewer games being released. That wouldn't be good for workers or consumers, and could lead to some talent leaving the game for positions in other industries. Some pundits have even predicted that the video game industry is headed for a major crash.

Phrasing in MercurySteam's announcement offers hope that the studio is not in danger of closing. After the release, the company seems to indicate that there is no need for so many workers Blade of Fire. It's unclear what the studio's next project will be, but MercurySteam is rumored to be in the works. Super Metroid Remake. The existence of that project has not been confirmed, but Nintendo seems to have a high level of faith in the studio, after releasing two well-received ones. Metroid Games. It's entirely possible that the studio could be working on something related to the series, but there's no way to know for sure.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)

Hopefully, not too many people will be affected by MercurySteam's layoffs, and job seekers will be able to find new places of employment soon. Metroid Fear was a Game of the Year candidate in 2021, which says a lot about the level of talent at the company. It's unfortunate how frequent layoffs are happening in the video game industry in such a short amount of time, but it doesn't look like this pattern will end anytime soon.