Devolver Digital is seeing major changes with the stepping down of its CEO and layoffs hitting one of its studios. Read on to learn more about the situation, Devolver Digital’s current state of affairs, and what became of Artificer after the layoffs.
Devolver Digital CEO Douglas Morin Steps Down
Leadership Change is "Effective Immediately"
Devolver Digital is in for major restructuring following the stepping down of its current CEO Douglas Morin. This decision was reportedly made "as part of Devolver’s long-term growth and development." Company co-founder and former CEO Harry Miller will be taking over the role moving forward.
Miller said the following about Morin's step down in an official statement: "On behalf of the Board and everyone at Devolver, I would like to thank Douglas for his significant commitment and achievements at Devolver in the last four years."
"Douglas’ energy, leadership and determination were critical to our IPO and programme to build our infrastructure as a listed company, culminating in the exciting System Era acquisition," Miller continued. "I am excited by the opportunity to step back into the CEO role. It’s an incredible pleasure and honour to continue to work with Devolver’s fantastic and talented team, building out a strong pipeline of fun and creativity, and of course delivering on our long-term growth strategy."
Morin first joined the publisher in 2020 as its chief of staff and was promoted to CEO in 2021. He has yet to provide an official statement regarding the company's change in leadership.
What's to Come from Devolver Digital
Despite how the company's current state would look in light of the recent leadership change, Devolver Digital reported that their company's revenue for 2023 was "in line with consensus expectations."
The publisher has many games lined up for release sometime in the next couple of years, including Skate Story, Pepper Grinder, Anger Foot, and The Plucky Squire, which was featured in Sony's State of Play for January 2024.
Devolver also recently revealed the trailer for yet another upcoming game, Children of the Sun — a "sniper puzzle game" where each player controls every bullet shot.
Artificer Games Loses 28 Staff in Major Layoffs
In related news, Artificer Games — a Devolver-owned studio — laid off 28 workers on January 31st, 2024. No specific reason for the layoffs has been cited, although Artificer's Texas-based publisher had the following to say on the matter:
"Over the past year, both companies have worked together to navigate the studio's difficulties to ensure Artificer remains open and that their hard work is realised with the launch of their next game. Layoffs are not easy, and the remaining team at Artificer and Devolver Digital are committed to supporting these talented and creative professionals find new roles throughout the industry."
More Staff to Be Let Go After Finishing Their Latest Project
Of the 28 staff that were let go, 18 were effective immediately, while the remaining 10 were allowed to finish their current project before exiting the company.
Artificer is the latest studio to be affected by the continuing trend of industry layoffs this 2024. Earlier this week, Sega of America announced its plans to lay off 61 employees in the coming months, and just before that, an upcoming Deus Ex game was cancelled after its development studio, Eidos-Monteal, suffered its own wave of layoffs.
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Devolver-owned studio Artificer reportedly cuts half its staff
Devolver Digital’s CEO has stepped down ‘with immediate effect’
