Today marks yet another day in reporting on layoffs that have occurred in the games industry over the past several years, with this occasion unfortunately being GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High developer KO_OP. The studio shared word that 13 staffers were being laid off less than two weeks after the launch of the studio’s latest game, Young Suns, explaining the process by which this took place in a statement that provides an example of what should really be just the bare minimum in these situations.
“KO_OP has been making games for nearly a decade and a half, and our project funding has primarily come from publishers and platform partners,” reads the statement. “The games funding landscape has changed radically over the last few years, and unlike previous project cycles, this time we have been unable to secure funding for new projects while developing our current engagements.” It’s the following sections that paint a much different approach in how you can conduct layoffs.
An important update from KO_OP.
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— KO_OP: 🪐 Wishlist Young Suns on Steam! (@ko-op.com) September 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
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“As with all our company’s operational decisions, this one was made democratically, and was motivated by the survival of the studio rather than maximizing profits. Our members are regularly updated on our cash flow situation, and were made aware of this upcoming shortfall well in advance. Membership then appointed a group to plan for this eventuality, and ratified their recommendations. Team leads and our elected executives will also be impacted by these reductions. We believe this level of transparency and accountability ought to be a minimum requirement for all organizations.”
This is obviously a much more compassionate and pragmatic approach to layoffs, but the statement also describes the support that will be offered to laid off developers. “Our goal now is to develop new game concepts and prototypes while continuing to support Young Suns,” the statement explains. “In the event that we secure funding in the coming months, our intent is to rehire as many of our colleagues as possible.” Essentially, if your inclination is to not purchase the game in protest, doing the opposite will actually materially help the affected devs.
The whole thing is obviously less than ideal, if not outright frustrating (particularly the situation around current funding issues). It just also shows that even when times are tough, you can still offer real support and security. I hope we can see some more of this across the industry in the coming years. Or, well, I hope we see the end of capitalism and developers able to make whatever they want without fear of whether they can put food on the table, but I suppose the other thing is a more realistic wish.
Solidarity with the affected developers as always.