FuturLab has recently announced a reduction in its staff complement, letting go seven members of its team after the company decided to cancel a development effort that was unrelated to its flagship title, PowerWash Simulator. The decision, which was communicated by CEO Kirsty Rigden in an interview with This Week in Video Games, was framed as a financially driven move: the project, still in pre‑production, was projected to cost more than the revenue it could realistically generate, and continuing to invest in it would have been imprudent.
Rigden emphasized that FuturLab remains fully dedicated to delivering the best possible sequel to PowerWash Simulator, while also exploring new concepts for future games. She explained that this strategic focus required a reassessment of the studio’s long‑term plans and resource needs.
"This is awful because these are incredibly talented individuals, many of whom have been with us for a long time, and I truly value their contributions," she said. "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 under a formal redundancy process, Rigden declined to provide specifics, citing confidentiality and legal constraints surrounding the matter. According to anonymous sources cited by This Week in Video Games, the cancellation of the unnamed project was announced by Rigden in late June. The project had reportedly been in development for two to three years, but progress stalled as the team realized the financial outlook was unfavorable.
One source claimed that after the cancellation announcement, the staff assigned to the project were left without new assignments for several weeks, creating a period of uncertainty. In July, the seven affected employees were officially made redundant.
Sources say that managers and team leads were not informed beforehand about which team members would be let go or the reasons behind the decision. This lack of communication, they suggest, was intended to shield senior staff from direct responsibility and to limit the emotional burden on the departing employees. A subsequent meeting in August, reportedly led by COO Chris Mehers, addressed the studio’s restructuring.
During this session, employees were instructed to avoid using the term "redundancy" when referring to the departing colleagues, instead labeling them as "the leavers." This linguistic shift was presented as a way to soften the perception of job loss and to maintain morale among the remaining staff. Employees were also told that the departures would not affect the development timeline of PowerWash Simulator 2, as the redundant staff were not slated to work on that title.
The handling of the situation appears to have been carefully managed to minimize legal risk and internal disruption. Managers and team leads were reportedly excluded from the selection process for the layoffs, a move described by sources as an effort to prevent them from experiencing guilt or stress associated with directly choosing who would lose their jobs. This approach also aimed to reduce the anxiety of the affected employees, who might otherwise have endured a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding their job security. In a previous interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Rigden discussed the studio’s broader vision, noting that FuturLab has traditionally tried to run two projects simultaneously.
She hinted at another upcoming game that she is enthusiastic about, emphasizing that the studio does not wish to be pigeonholed as solely a "PowerWash" developer. "We’re constantly asking ourselves, ‘What else can we create?’" she said, indicating a desire to diversify the studio’s portfolio.
The episode underscores the challenges faced by mid‑size game developers who must balance creative ambition with fiscal responsibility. While FuturLab’s flagship title has enjoyed commercial success, the company’s attempt to branch out into new IPs has encountered the harsh realities of market economics. The decision to cancel the non‑PowerWash project, though painful for the staff involved, reflects a strategic pivot toward consolidating resources around the most promising and financially viable endeavors.
Industry observers note that the language used by the studio—specifically the avoidance of the word "redundancy"—mirrors a broader trend in corporate communications where companies aim to soften the impact of layoffs. However, such euphemisms can sometimes be perceived as dismissive by employees and external stakeholders, potentially affecting the company’s reputation. Overall, FuturLab’s recent restructuring illustrates the delicate balancing act between nurturing talent, pursuing innovative projects, and ensuring long‑term sustainability in a competitive gaming market.
The company’s leadership has expressed appreciation for the contributions of the departing staff while reaffirming its commitment to delivering high‑quality experiences for players and exploring fresh creative directions in the future.