Unity Announces Major Restructuring, Cutting 265 Jobs and Ending Weta Partnership

In a significant overhaul, Unity has revealed plans to lay off 265 employees, approximately 3.8% of its workforce, as it terminates its agreement with Weta, a renowned VFX studio. This move comes after Unity acquired Weta's tools, pipeline, technology, and engineering teams in a $1.63 billion deal in 2021. The layoffs are part of a company-wide 'reset' that includes shutting down offices in 14 global locations, such as Berlin and Singapore, and downsizing its remaining branches, including those in Bellevue and San Francisco. Additionally, Unity will no longer require employees to work on-site for three days a week. Interim CEO Jim Whitehurst stated that the company will reduce its overall scope, although specifics have not been finalized. This restructuring is the third round of mass layoffs at Unity this year, following the departure of CEO John Riccitiello, and brings the total number of layoffs in 2023 to over 1,100, with the company's current headcount standing at around 7,000.