FuturLab has announced that seven members of its team have been let go after the company decided to cancel a development effort that had no direct connection to its flagship title, PowerWash Simulator. The decision was communicated by CEO Kirsty Rigden in an interview with the podcast This Week in Video Games, where she explained that the cancelled project was still in the pre‑production phase and had become financially untenable. "The projected costs would have far exceeded any realistic revenue we could expect, so continuing would not have made sense for the studio," Rigden said. Rigden emphasized that FuturLab remains fully dedicated to delivering the best possible sequel to PowerWash Simulator, while also exploring new concepts for future releases.
She noted that this strategic focus required a reassessment of the studio’s long‑term plans and staffing needs. "These are incredibly talented people, many of whom have been with us for years, and I have a deep appreciation for their contributions," she added. "The decision was neither easy nor swift, but making tough choices early helps safeguard FuturLab’s future stability." When pressed about whether the seven individuals were dismissed through a formal redundancy process, Rigden declined to provide specifics, citing confidentiality and legal constraints surrounding the matter. She indicated that the details of any such process were bound by a non‑disclosure agreement and could not be shared publicly.
According to anonymous sources speaking to This Week in Video Games, Rigden first announced the termination of the unrelated project in late June. The venture, which had reportedly been in development for two to three years, was suddenly halted, leaving the team members assigned to it without new assignments for several weeks. One source described the situation as the staff being "left hanging" while management sought a solution.
The seven employees who were ultimately affected received notice of their departure in July. Sources claim that neither their direct managers nor team leads were informed in advance about who would be let go or the reasons behind the decision. In August, a company‑wide meeting was held, during which Chief Operating Officer Chris Mehers reportedly told staff that FuturLab was undergoing a restructuring phase. During a follow‑up meeting, employees were instructed to avoid using the term "redundancy" when referring to their colleagues who were exiting the company.
Instead, they were asked to call them "the leavers," a phrasing that some observers have described as an attempt to soften the impact of the layoffs. Employees were also told that the departing staff would not be required for the development of PowerWash Simulator 2, and that their exit would not hinder the progress of the sequel. Further allegations suggest that managers and team leads were deliberately excluded from the selection process for the affected individuals, ostensibly to shield them from personal guilt. The rationale given was to prevent the stress that would arise if team leaders had to directly inform their own reports that they were losing their jobs, especially during a two‑week window when the outcome was still uncertain.
In a previous conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Rigden discussed the studio’s future direction, including the now‑cancelled project. She highlighted FuturLab’s ambition to work on multiple titles simultaneously, stating, "We’ve always tried to do two projects at once… so we’ve got another game which I’m really excited about. We don’t want to just be a PowerWash studio… we’re always thinking about, ‘What else could we do?’" This statement underscores the company’s desire to diversify its portfolio beyond the popular cleaning‑simulation franchise.
The broader context of the layoffs reflects a common challenge in the video‑game industry, where studios must balance creative aspirations with financial realities. Pre‑production phases often involve significant research, prototyping, and budgeting, and if early estimates indicate that a project will not recoup its costs, companies may opt to cut their losses before committing further resources. While such decisions can preserve the overall health of a studio, they also have immediate human consequences, as seen in FuturLab’s recent staff reductions. Industry analysts note that the practice of avoiding the word "redundancy" in internal communications is not unique to FuturLab.
Some firms adopt euphemistic language to mitigate the emotional impact on remaining employees and to maintain morale. However, critics argue that this can obscure transparency and make it harder for staff to understand the true nature of organizational changes. As FuturLab moves forward, the focus will likely remain on delivering a polished sequel to PowerWash Simulator while quietly developing the next, undisclosed title. The company’s leadership appears committed to protecting its core brand while still exploring new creative avenues, even if that means making difficult personnel decisions along the way.
The long‑term effects of these layoffs on the studio’s culture, talent pipeline, and future projects remain to be seen, but the immediate priority, according to Rigden, is to ensure that the remaining team can continue to produce high‑quality experiences for players worldwide.