- Lively Studio to face layoffs amid streamlining of the business
- The layoffs are reportedly necessary for the “long-term health of the company”
Get Industry News In Your Inbox…
Sign Up Today
Warped Kart Racers developer Lively Studio is undertaking layoffs amid a restructure to “streamline certain areas of [the] business”, a spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz.
Only a small number of jobs are said to be at risk, but the spokesperson confirmed cutbacks will be necessary for the “long-term health of the company”.
Lively’s sister studio Electric Square remains unaffected by the streamlining operation.
The pair are both English subsidiaries of Irish games company Keywords Studios, known for its worldwide purchasing power, taking on companies such as Climax Studios, Helpshift, LabCom, The Multiplayer Group and many others.
Keywords Studios was itself acquired by EQT for £2.1 billion earlier this month.
A decision “not taken lightly”
Layoffs at Lively Studio approach following a strategic review of the company, which determined a business needs to streamline for the sake of the long-term.
“This decision was not taken lightly and was made with the long-term health of the company in mind. We are supporting our employees during this potential transition and will provide any affected employee with appropriate support and career assistance,” a spokesperson said.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our employees and look forward to a bright future with continued innovation and growth.”
Lively Studio is known for mobile games Detonation Race and Warped Kart Racers, the latter featuring characters from Family Guy, King of the Hill and other adult cartoon shows. The racer recently expanded from Apple Arcade to the Apple Vision Pro – a product whose hefty $3,499 price tag has triggered dwindling demand.
The layoffs form part of a broader picture too: one of more reserved mobile game spending, shuttered games, and many, many layoffs.
