French Publisher Dear Villagers Confirms Layoffs Affecting 15 Employees

French publisher Dear Villagers has confirmed layoffs affecting approximately 15 employees, reducing its workforce from 20 people prior to the cuts. The decision follows a reorganization initiated by parent company Plug In Digital.

A company spokesperson told Game Developer: "Plug In Digital is currently undergoing a reorganization of its operations in an industry that has been particularly challenging for several years. In this context, a workforce reduction plan has indeed been initiated, affecting approximately fifteen positions (as the process is still ongoing, we do not have final figures to report)."

The spokesperson added that the cuts were necessary to adapt the organization to changing market conditions. "This decision is obviously a difficult one, as it affects employees and teams who have contributed significantly to the company's growth. Sadly, it is also a necessary one in order to adapt our organization to the particularly rapid evolution of the video game market and the new economic realities of the sector."

Multiple posts on LinkedIn from affected Dear Villagers employees confirm the majority of the team was impacted, with almost all members of the QA department laid off. Despite the restructuring, Dear Villagers said it intends to continue publishing and producing games. The publisher is known for titles including Caravan SandWitch and The Forgotten City.