Reflector Entertainment, Developer of Unknown 9, Reduces Workforce by 18%

Reflector Entertainment, the developer behind the Unknown 9 series, has announced that it is undergoing restructuring, resulting in the layoff of 18% of its staff. According to the studio, this decision comes as it enters a new phase of development, and the impacted employees are no longer assigned to essential roles within its active projects. The company is providing support to those affected, including severance packages and access to medical, emotional, and career planning resources. This news follows the launch of Unknown 9: Awakening, the first installment in the series, which debuted last month. Initially, the number of layoffs was unknown, but reports from Kotaku and GameDeveloper suggested that multiple teams, including QA, marketing, art, and narrative, had been impacted. Notable departures include narrative and game designer Anna Karina Bermudez and brand manager Manou Deneuvel, who are now seeking new opportunities. Reflector Entertainment is part of the Bandai Namco group, which acquired the studio in 2020. The Unknown 9 series encompasses a range of media, including a podcast audio drama, novels, and a comic book series. The game, Unknown 9: Awakening, was initially scheduled for release this summer but was delayed until October 18, 2024, and received mixed reviews upon its release.