Reflector Entertainment, a studio owned by Bandai Namco, has announced another round of layoffs, marking the second within two months. The decision comes after the studio ended development on an unnamed project that had been in the conceptualization phase
End of Unnamed Project
Reflector Entertainment has ceased work on an unnamed project, deeming its continuation “unsustainable.” This decision was announced by Reflector CEO Hervé Hoerdt in a LinkedIn statement.
“This decision correlates directly with the failure of the studio’s ambitious and courageous first project, a new IP with a rich transmedia universe,” wrote Hoerdt. “The performance of the release didn’t come near the company expectations, after numerous timeline adjustments and investments, both financially and otherwise.”
The unnamed project had only reached the conceptual phase and was impacted by the lack of success of the studio’s debut game, Unknown 9: Awakening.
Impact on Employees
The layoffs will affect:
- Project Team Members: Some will be reassigned to work on an existing Bandai Namco IP that is reportedly progressing well.
- Back-Office Staff: Support teams are being downsized in line with the studio’s shift to a single-project approach.
Reflector has pledged to support affected employees by providing:
- Adequate severance packages.
- Extended health benefits.
- Continued access to counseling services.
- Proactive career planning support.
Context of the Decision
The studio’s first project, Unknown 9: Awakening, was envisioned as the cornerstone of a vast transmedia universe, blending storytelling across various mediums. However, the game’s performance fell significantly short of expectations, leading to the discontinuation of the broader universe concept.
This latest announcement follows a previous round of layoffs last year, where 18% of the workforce was let go. At the time, Reflector stated that the earlier decision was unrelated to “commercial success or external pressures.”
Future Outlook
Reflector Entertainment will now focus its efforts on a project tied to an established Bandai Namco IP. Meanwhile, Bandai Namco remains committed to investing in Western content aimed at global audiences.
Key Points
- Reflector Entertainment, owned by Bandai Namco, is undergoing its second round of layoffs in two months.
- The studio has ended development on an unnamed project in the conceptualization phase, citing unsustainability.
- The decision is linked to the commercial failure of Unknown 9: Awakening, its first ambitious transmedia project.
- Affected employees will receive severance packages, health benefits, counseling services, and career planning support.
- Reflector will pivot to developing a project based on an existing Bandai Namco IP.
- Bandai Namco continues to invest in Western content for a global audience.