FuturLab has recently announced a reduction in its workforce, with seven members of the team parting ways 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, stemmed from a financial assessment that projected the cancelled project would cost more to complete than the revenue it could realistically generate. Rigden explained that the initiative was halted while still in the pre‑production phase because continuing it would not have made economic sense for the studio.
In her statement, Rigden emphasized that FuturLab remains fully dedicated to delivering the best possible sequel to PowerWash Simulator, while also exploring new concepts for future titles. She noted that this strategic focus required a careful review of the studio’s long‑term plans and resource needs. "This is a painful situation because the people we are letting go are incredibly talented and many have been with us for a long time," Rigden said. "I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for them.
The decision was far from easy or swift, but taking tough actions early helps safeguard FuturLab’s future stability." When pressed about whether the departures were formally classified as redundancies, Rigden declined to provide further details, citing confidentiality and the legal sensitivities surrounding the process. She indicated that the company could not disclose specifics about the internal procedures that were followed. According to anonymous sources quoted by This Week in Video Games, the cancellation of the side project was first announced by Rigden in late June.
The project, which had reportedly been in development for two to three years, was left in a state of limbo, with staff members reportedly left without new assignments for several weeks. By July, seven employees were formally let go, an action described by sources as a redundancy measure. However, the internal communication surrounding the layoffs appears to have been tightly controlled. Managers and team leads were allegedly not informed about which of their direct reports would be departing or the reasons behind the decisions.
In August, a meeting was convened in which FuturLab’s Chief Operating Officer, Chris Mehers, reportedly told staff that the studio was undergoing a restructuring phase. During a subsequent gathering, employees were instructed to avoid using the term "redundancy" when referring to the departing colleagues, instead labeling them as "the leavers." This linguistic guidance was reportedly part of an effort to manage the narrative and reduce potential stigma associated with job loss. Sources also claim that the remaining staff were told the exiting employees would not be required for the development of PowerWash Simulator 2, and that their departure would not hinder the progress of the sequel. Moreover, managers and team leads were said to have been excluded from the selection process for the layoffs, a move intended to shield them from personal guilt and to alleviate the stress for the affected individuals, who might otherwise have faced uncertainty about their job security for up to two weeks during the transition.
The broader context of FuturLab’s strategy was previously discussed in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, where Rigden outlined the studio’s ambition to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. She highlighted that, beyond PowerWash Simulator, the company is actively working on another game that she described as “really exciting.” Rigden stressed that FuturLab does not wish to be pigeonholed as a single‑title studio and is constantly exploring new possibilities: "We’re always thinking about, ‘What else could we do?’" The cancellation of the non‑PowerWash project and the subsequent staff reductions underscore the challenges that mid‑size independent studios face when balancing creative ambition with fiscal responsibility. While FuturLab continues to prioritize the development of PowerWash Simulator 2, the episode serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of game development, where projects can be shelved and teams reshaped in response to shifting market forecasts and internal budget constraints. Industry observers note that the approach of rebranding layoffs as "the leavers" is part of a broader trend among companies seeking to soften the perception of workforce reductions.
By avoiding the term "redundancy," firms aim to reduce the negative connotations associated with job loss, although critics argue that such euphemisms can obscure the reality of the situation for both employees and the public. In summary, FuturLab’s recent actions reflect a strategic pivot toward consolidating resources around its core franchise while still nurturing new ideas for future titles. The seven individuals who departed will be remembered for their contributions, and the studio’s leadership has expressed sincere appreciation for their work. As FuturLab moves forward, the focus will remain on delivering a high‑quality sequel to PowerWash Simulator and on the development of the yet‑unannounced project that Rigden described as a source of excitement for the team.