Trion Worlds, the studio behind MMORPGs like Rift, Trove, and ArcheAge, has laid off 15 employees. This happened almost immediately after the launch of the new shooter Defiance 2050, which received only moderate reviews.
Trion Worlds says: We need to position ourselves optimally for the future
This is what Trion Worlds says about the layoffs: The CEO of Trion Worlds, Scott Hartsman, states in a statement to the business site Gamastura: They had to make the difficult decision to eliminate 15 positions across the company. They are grateful for the work of those affected. Trion Worlds will offer everyone a severance package and assist in finding a new job.
Why were the 15 employees laid off? Hartsman says the layoffs had nothing to do with the performance of individuals or Trion Worlds as a whole. The decision was necessary in order for the company to manage upcoming projects as effectively as possible.
MMORPG ArcheAge loses key figures
ArcheAge particularly affected: As Massivelyop reports, the layoffs seem to particularly impact the MMORPG ArcheAge.
- Here they lose a key figure for the community in Seraphina Brennan. She was last an Associate Producer, previously a Community Manager.
- Additionally, it is known via Twitter that Artist Jessica Pate has to leave.
- Community Manager Joe “Muzzy” Grogno voluntarily leaves Trion Worlds. The “Interim” solution will be Linda “Brasse” Carlson. She is known from the old Everquest days for dressing up as a bearded dwarf and having an open ear for the community.
Is Trion Worlds now heading in a different direction?
What has been happening at Trion Worlds recently? Trion Worlds’ shooter “Defiance 2050” has just launched on PS4, XBox One, and PC. The community, however, is rather disappointed. A commercial success is hardly to be expected.
Different direction? Furthermore, Trion Worlds has acquired the rights to the failed MMO studio “Gazillion” and therefore also the assets of Marvel Heroes. In a statement, it was said that Trion Worlds wants to reposition itself and will now focus more on publishing: this means publishing games from other studios as well.
Bad luck with Devilian: The last game they “published” did not do very well: Devilian, a Korean action MMORPG, was already dead in its home country before it came to the West. The studio behind it then scored a hit with PUBG and finally abandoned Devilian. That was also terminated in the West.
How is it going for Trion Worlds and their games?
How are the games that Trion Worlds operates doing?
- Trion Worlds’ last major in-house project, the quirky genre mix Atlas Reactor, has indeed received some recognition, but it was probably not a hit.
- However, Trove is reported to be doing very well, even though hardly anyone is aware of it.
- The MMORPGs Rift (2011) and ArcheAge (2014) have aged somewhat and have recently made headlines mainly with “Fresh-Start” and “Legacy” servers.
