Funcom lays off devs for Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles
The gaming world is watching Funcom, the creative powerhouse behind massive survival RPGs like Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles, as the studio navigates a significant organizational shift. The company has announced a restructuring process that will result in layoffs, and the current CEO, Rui Casais, will depart once the reorganization is complete.
This strategic realignment comes as Funcom pivots its entire focus, choosing to concentrate its resources entirely on supporting its established titles. Casais framed this move as necessary, noting that Dune: Awakening was an immense undertaking, requiring years of intense development. He explained that moving from full production into long-term post-launch development necessitates a fundamentally different organizational structure.
The journey of Awakening offers a compelling backdrop to this evolution. Upon its release, the survival MMO made a massive splash, quickly becoming the fastest-selling game in the Norwegian developer’s history. However, the long-term performance of the title has presented a mixed picture for the community, with engagement in the PvP elements and faction-based endgame showing some dip over time.
In response to this, the team made pivotal changes. Following an earlier round of layoffs, Funcom overhauled Awakening, shifting its focus away from full MMO elements to emphasize solo play and PvE-exclusive modes. Simultaneously, the studio enhanced its other flagship title, Conan Exiles, receiving a major engine upgrade, a substantial paid expansion, and even an “enhanced endowment slider” for player characters.
Looking ahead, the focus is now squarely on maximizing the potential of their current lineup. Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos indicated that the studio is not currently prepared to tackle a new game, suggesting that future projects remain just “wispy thoughts in the back of our heads.”
Funcom is ensuring a supportive environment for its remaining team members, stating that the process is being handled with transparency and respect for those involved. Once the restructuring is finalized, Rui Casais will be succeeded by Scott Junior, who serves as the Chief Product Officer and Executive Producer on Dune: Awakening.
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