The hero shooter Gigantic (PC, Xbox One) must postpone its release to 2016 and therefore lay off employees.
Gigantic is planned for Windows 10 and Xbox One, and now they have informed the players in a blog: We are aware that we must move the launch time frame to 2016. As a startup, our funds are limited. If we need to extend the production time without sales, we are also forced to allocate our resources differently, to stretch them. Therefore, we had to part ways with 16 employees with a heavy heart.
This is painful, but they remain determined to deliver Gigantic in the best possible quality.
A bit strange about the message: A release at the earliest in 2016 was already presented as a “best-case” four months ago. The message that it is being postponed to “2016” is probably to be understood more as it is being postponed to “later in 2016,” without specifying exact dates.
The news about the layoffs had already reached the US site Massively Overpowered. Former employees had reached out on Twitter for new job opportunities.
I’m sad to say that I was one of 16 laid off from Motiga. If you know of any CM work, here’s my linkedin https://t.co/haLcp2Mshk
— Allie Murdock (@AllieMurdock) December 4, 2015
Gigantic is part of a wave of “hero shooters” that we can expect in 2016. Other games include Battleborn and Paladins. So far, only industry giant Blizzard with the title “Overwatch” has already created such a wave in advance that the competition risks sinking beneath it. Also, Battleborn has been postponed.
Gigantic has been regularly holding closed playtests since August. However, these are still under an NDA. They likely expected much earlier to be able to switch to an open beta. However, there is still no sign of that.
