Poland’s own 11 Bit Studios recently enacted a wave of layoffs, though the exact number of affected employees remains unclear. The gaming company shared on its website that they have decided to pull the plug on Project 8, a venture that started back in 2018 and was set to be their debut console-oriented game. By 2024, this project had 37 team members working on it.
The firm disclosed that they had invested a hefty PLN 48.4 million, which translates to $11.8 million, into this now-abandoned game. According to the company, the decision to cancel was made after a “thorough evaluation” process. It’s clear that Project 8 encountered multiple hurdles, one of the most significant being interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our ambition for Project 8 was strong and invigorating, with a focus squarely on console players,” remarked Przemysław Marszał, president of the board. “However, when we began, the gaming marketplace looked dramatically different, with a higher demand for narrative-rich, story-driven experiences.”
Marszał further elaborated, explaining that the management team carefully weighs a project’s trajectory, drawing insights from internal assessments as well as external surveys. They take into account market research alongside the potential for sales and marketing. Unfortunately, this time around, their findings pointed to persistent, unresolved issues that would necessitate prolonging the timeline and increasing the budget. Combined with updated sales predictions that mirror shifts in the market landscape, these factors led to considerable doubts about the project’s viability in terms of profitability.
