2K-owned studio Visible Ideas has joined the rising listing of corporations within the video games business which were hit with layoffs. As caught by Recreation Developer, the NBA 2K developer has laid off an unknown variety of employees at its Austin studio, as confirmed on LinkedIn by two former workers who have been impacted by the layoffs.
Former artwork director Brad Bowling wrote, “The video games business bloodletting continues. As we speak Visible Ideas Austin laid off myself and a bunch of very gifted builders. I’ve had a good time over the previous couple of years working with among the most interesting Recreation Devs within the business. Over the previous 23 years of constructing sport artwork, I’ve seen some downturns however nothing like this.”
Former affiliate software program engineer Sydney F wrote, “After an incredible yr of working at Visible Ideas Austin it’s unhappy to say I’ve been laid off as of as we speak together with a number of different wonderful colleagues. I’ll miss all of people who I labored with tremendously.”
Previous to its acquisition by 2K, Visible Ideas Austin, then referred to as HookBang, routinely supplied growth assist on Visible Ideas’ NBA 2K titles. Following its acquisition and subsequent rebranding, the developer continued to carry out that function.
The listing of builders, publishers, and corporations within the business which have laid off members of their employees (to various levels) is already an excruciatingly lengthy one, just a bit over a month into 2024. It consists of the likes of Microsoft, Riot Video games, Unity, Misplaced Boys Interactive, Black Forest Video games, Individuals Can Fly, CI Video games, Behaviour Interactive, and Thunderful Group, amongst others.
