Scavengers Studio Undergoes Significant Downsizing

Following a meeting where CEO Amélie Lamarche announced layoffs, Scavengers Studio has confirmed that it will be downsizing to a team of 16. This decision comes as a result of the studio's game, Season, failing to meet commercial expectations, selling only 60,000 copies in its first five months. Lamarche stated that despite efforts to boost sales, the game's performance fell short of the studio's needs to remain viable. The current economic context and Season's financial results have forced the studio to downsize. The affected employees will receive support, including financial and psychological assistance, extended health coverage, and outplacement services to help them find new job opportunities in Montreal. The studio plans to announce a new project focused on creating gameplay-driven games that bring people together, aiming to capture the spirit of innovation and fun seen in their previous title, Darwin Project. The decision to downsize is not a reflection on the talent or dedication of the departing staff members. This development follows reports of 'massive layoffs' from former staff, including 3D artist Mathieu Sauve Leroux, who shared his experience on Linkedin. Other sources, such as French games journalist Gauthier 'Gautoz' Andres, have also commented on the situation, stating that over half of the studio's approximately 40 employees were laid off, and that Season's sales were insufficient for the studio to recoup its costs. The studio's history includes a toxic work environment, as reported in 2021, which led to the suspension and later reinstatement of key figures, including CEO Amélie Lamarche and creative director Simon Darveau. Darveau has since left the studio to become creative director at a new, undisclosed studio.