Workers at the French game development studio Don’t Nod, known for titles like Life is Strange series, Jusant, and the upcoming Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, are preparing to strike this Friday, November 8, in response to looming layoffs. Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), the union representing video game workers, has organized the picket line at Don’t Nod’s Paris headquarters.
The strike follows the announcement that up to 69 jobs may be cut as part of a company-wide restructuring plan. Don’t Nod’s CEO, Oskar Guilbert, attributed the layoffs to a “reorganization project” aimed at stabilizing the studio’s financial health, citing underwhelming economic returns on recent releases despite positive critical reception.
“Our half-year results for 2024 reflect the economic underperformance of our latest release, despite solid ratings on Metacritic, as well as the accounting impact of the decisions we had to take,” Guilbert stated. “Today we presented a reorganization project to the employee representative bodies, which could set Don’t Nod on a new development trajectory. I am fully conscious of the impact this project may have on all our employees.”
The STJV, however, contests this reasoning, asserting that the layoffs are unnecessary and would negatively impact the studio’s talent pool and morale. In their statement, the union demanded that management abandon the layoff plans, involve workers in decision-making processes, and hold CEO Guilbert accountable in negotiations.
“We demand that management immediately give up on this irresponsible and unfair layoffs plan… This layoff plan is absurd, violent, and will not save our company,” the STJV declared, urging employees to unite for the planned one-day strike.
As workers prepare for Friday’s action, Don’t Nod faces increased scrutiny over its restructuring efforts, with many in the gaming industry watching closely for the outcome.
