Surgent Studios, the developer behind the massively underwhelming side-scrolling game Tales of Kenzera: Zau, has begun laying off several members of their development team.
As reported by Game Developer, Technical Artist Jordan Smee posted on LinkedIn, "Well, it looks like I'm joining all the people affected by industry layoffs this year, and I am now seeking Technical Art and Environment Art positions."
Level Designer Pete Brisbourne announced his departure as well by writing, "The chapter entitled ‘Pete Works At Surgent Studios’ is coming to a close at the end of the month.”
These layoffs come in the wake of an industry-wide crisis, where many large and small studios who have become obsessed with pushing DEI messaging have lost connection to their target audience; actual gamers. To make matters worse, this game was linked to the DEI consulting agency Sweet Baby Inc, the Canadian firm that kicked off Gamergate 2.
Positive movement pic.twitter.com/TjFfUIjtSg
— Abubakar Salim (@Abzybabzy) June 19, 2024
Abubakar Salim, the actor and founder of Surgent Studios, has done his part to denounce "racist trolls" and "bigots" who boycotted his game for it's connection to Kim Belair, the co-founder of Sweet Baby Inc. He has perpetually doubled down on his belief that his game doesn't deserve the backlash that it has received, as it is a story that he created out of his love for his father who sadly passed away.
I’ve been reading a lot of comments and opinions on the video I posted Friday and I want to thank those who have shown their support. I’m aware that the world doesn’t revolve around social media, but there is something to be said about seeing that love and support come from so…
— Abubakar Salim (@Abzybabzy) June 2, 2024
While many of us tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, it has become all too clear that he, like so many people in the modern gaming industry, is little more than an activist with an ideological agenda to push. Despite many industry insiders and media outlets carrying water for this game, as well as Mr. Salim announcing in May that the game would receive a price reduction on all platforms, the fact of the matter is that this game was an epic failure, with less than a dozen people currently playing it on Steam.
A needed message. pic.twitter.com/oJaJEeZd61
— Abubakar Salim (@Abzybabzy) May 31, 2024
This should be an eye-opening moment for much of the gaming industry, as so many studios who have been chasing ESG funding from investment firms like Blackrock and Vanguard have been rocked by mass layoffs and closures. The AAA gaming industry is in total freefall, and only time will tell how many of these studios have a chance of surviving the crash.