Indie studio Mighty Yell, developer of the 2021 comedy crime journey The Huge Con and the upcoming dance-battler All Programs Dance, says it has laid off “just a few” of its staff “because of monetary challenges.”
“This isn’t a call we got here to simply, and we all know the affect it can have on our staff and neighborhood,” Mighty Yell wrote in a message posted to Bluesky. “We need to be as clear as doable relating to the layoffs, and the tough state of funding in video games.
“Whereas we want layoffs could possibly be prevented, we’re hopeful that we’ll get via this tough chapter and produce as many members of the staff again as doable within the close to future.”
Mighty Yell mentioned it stays on observe for the discharge of All Programs Dance, a “grooving journey recreation the place you reprogram robots by shakin’ it” we obtained a take a look at in the course of the 2024 PC Gaming Present. It is a “non-violent fight recreation” through which you lead an rebellion in opposition to a company dystopia by profitable dance battles in opposition to robots, thereby convincing them to hitch the revolution.
It is a bit of an uncommon setup however making video games with out violence is Mighty Yell’s factor: The Huge Con is a criminal offense recreation however not one the place you are operating round waving weapons.
That method to creating video games introduced one thing of a problem for Mighty Yell: “One of many hardest issues about making this recreation was promoting folks on the non-violent crime facet of it,” recreation director and author Dave Proctor mentioned in 2021. “Video games with weapons do not bat a watch, however the second you need to steal an previous woman’s pockets, folks begin to suppose perhaps there’s one thing improper with you.”
Mighty Yell mentioned in in the present day’s announcement that information in regards to the launch of All Programs Dance will likely be shared quickly, “however proper now what’s vital is supporting our staff via this robust time.”
2023 and ’24 had been brutally punishing for the videogame trade, and whereas we had hoped for higher issues in 2025—or at the very least a vibe shift—it isn’t understanding that manner to date. BioWare, Piranha Video games, NetEase, Putting Distance Studios, Eidos Montreal, Cyan Worlds, Liquid Swords, Ubisoft, and engine maker Unity have all let folks go this 12 months, and the looming chaos of the Trump administration’s world commerce struggle appears virtually sure to make issues a lot worse earlier than they’ve any hope of getting higher.
