Layoffs Begin at Daybreak Games

The hammer comes down hard on employees of Sony Online Entertainment.

UPDATE, Feb 12th: Thanks to everyone who has reached out to us regarding this news. I doubt we'll get an exhaustive list, but it's obvious that the community team, producers and developers were all hit pretty hard. You can contact us at news@zam.com or directly to @Cyliena on Twitter if you have more information.


One year ago I took the above picture of a smiling Linda "Brasse" Carlson, the Director of Community Relations, in her expertly handmade dwarven regalia, on the Sony Online Entertainment campus.

About an hour ago the first confirmed layoff from the transition to Daybreak Games hit, with Linda posting on Facebook that "I have been released from the best and most challenging job I have ever had. I thank you all for being part of that incredible experience. Too many people to thank personally, but know that I am extraordinarily grateful and very curious where life takes me now."

Linda isn't the only one affected. EverQuest franchise Director of Development Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson has confirmed now on Twitter that he was laid off. EverQuest II artist Aaron "Gnobrin" Bisnett has also confirmed that he is gone, and we've been told that Systems Designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper (confirmed now) from EQ/EQ2 has been let go as well.

Also confirmed are Adam "Ngreth" Bell (EQ dev) (x), Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence (Community) (x), Racheal "Afista" McKenny (EQ2 Community) (x), Endymion (EQ2 dev) (x), Eric "Felgon" Smith (Landmark/EQNext producer) (x), Noah Watkins (H1Z1 artist) (x), Steve "Moorgard" Danuser (EQNext Lead Content/Story Designer) (x), Kelduum Revaan (H1Z1 Technical Designer) (x), Aimee "Ashlanne" Rekoske (Community) (x), David Carey (PS2 producer) (x), Jeffrey Bard (EQ2 dev) (x) and Michael "Xelgad" Ganz (EQ2 dev) (x). There are likely many more, but these are the only ones we publicly know of at this time; a list on Reddit has a few more names not mentioned here.

On Thursday, February 12th, both H1Z1 developer Ryan Elam (x) and PlanetSide 2 Creative Director Matt Higby announced their voluntary resignations.

Colette "Dexella" Murphey posted the company's official statement; here are the key points:

Last week we announced that we were acquired and are now operating independently as Daybreak Game Company.

Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that we will eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios.

These reductions will not affect the operation of our current games and as mentioned above, will help better position our company for future success.

Daybreak's full statement is found after the jump. Tiffany "Amnerys" Spence has discussed turning over a new leaf on her blog, while former PlanetSide 2 producer David Carey posted an insightful public note to the community regarding the layoffs over on Reddit.

We wish the best to everyone involved.


Dear Players, Partners & Friends,

Last week we announced that we were acquired and are now operating independently as Daybreak Game Company. To better position our newly independent studio for future growth opportunities and to deliver on our legacy of making top online games, we have had to make some tough choices including realignment of resources.

Unfortunately, this realignment means adjusting staffing as well. We announced today that we will eliminate positions in our San Diego and Austin studios. We deeply value our employees and never take these decisions lightly so we’ve done our best to do what’s right for the people affected. Although extremely difficult, these are necessary actions that will ultimately drive improved results and help strengthen our company’s foundation for success. Many of us are saying goodbye to close friends and colleagues who we’ve worked with over the years, and we are grateful for the memories and all that they’ve contributed. They will be greatly missed, and we wish them nothing but the best for the future.

These reductions will not affect the operation of our current games and as mentioned above, will help better position our company for future success. As we move forward, we are committed to delivering the best online games and working side-by-side with our players to drive the future of our online games.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Daybreak Games Team

Comments

1 2 Next »
Post Comment
sigh
# Feb 11 2015 at 4:22 PM Rating: Excellent
49 posts
the beginning of the end
Sad day
# Feb 11 2015 at 4:19 PM Rating: Excellent
"SOE—that is, Daybreak—said it will be "business as usual," and that all existing SOE games will continue to operate normally. "In fact, we expect to have even more resources available to us as a result of this acquisition," it said"

Well, I guess we can call BS on that one.
Sad day
# Feb 11 2015 at 4:05 PM Rating: Good
8-( Don't know what else to say.
Daybreak layoff the true hearts of EQ, EQ2 and Landmark
# Feb 11 2015 at 4:04 PM Rating: Excellent
Very sad day for many, very difficult days ahead for many others. All of those laid off and well respected as well have become true friends of many people around the world, from individual players to those who hold the power in on line gaming communities and business. Daybreak did not even give them a chance of shifting their loyalty from SOE to Daybreak, or proving what an asset they could be. As a player of SOE games for more than a decade, I am extremely disappointed at this turn of events as well as being fearful of where the EQ franchise may be headed. Best wishes to all of you who have gotten the "axe", you are all great, talented people and more importantly just being good members of the human race in the real world.
Ugh
# Feb 11 2015 at 3:37 PM Rating: Excellent
So much for "nothing is going to change", guess they forgot to add "until next week"..... I do have to fear for future of the SOE Live/Fan Faire Con. Smed did say it was a money sink and if they are willing to let some of the big names go.....
daybreak
# Feb 11 2015 at 3:27 PM Rating: Good
Scholar
31 posts
how come only negativity comes from buy outs like this. why cant it be like oh everyone pays 10 percent less for membership or we raised xp for all kills across the board. or made rare drops more common or fixed all the bugs in the game. or took away some of the negative changes soe made over the last couple years that everyone hated. or listened to the player boards and placed the ones that can be done in effect to make the GAME more FUN. its a game its supposed to be fun not stressful. nope. only negative changes get made.
____________________________
[url=http://eq.magelo.com/profile/2125687][img]
yikes
# Feb 11 2015 at 3:09 PM Rating: Default
Scholar
Avatar
**
485 posts
Sorry to hear that they got laid off. Not to sound callous but what exactly does a director of community relations do besides get dressed up very nicely for cosplay? Im wondering the same thing about a franchise director of development for Everquest. I am guessing they have a director of development for each franchise like Planetside and DC Universe Online. So why let go of the one working on the Everquest franchise?
yikes
# Feb 11 2015 at 3:14 PM Rating: Excellent
Empress of News
Avatar
***
2,350 posts
If there was a "Face of SOE", that was Linda. On top of leading the community team (who are the filter between us players and the devs), she also has been known to do things like co-host panels during major conventions. The fact that she enjoys cosplay had nothing to do with her job; she cosplayed before that.
____________________________
Author Website | Instagram | Pinterest

yikes
# Feb 12 2015 at 3:05 AM Rating: Good
Scholar
Avatar
**
485 posts
Thanks for the reply. I didn't realize that costume wasn't part of the job.
It Figures...
# Feb 11 2015 at 3:00 PM Rating: Decent
*
121 posts
Somehow, I just *knew* layoffs were going to be the next thing announced.
oh my
# Feb 11 2015 at 1:40 PM Rating: Excellent
40 posts
And it starts.........
oh my
# Feb 11 2015 at 6:20 PM Rating: Decent
Scholar
**
269 posts
http://www.reddit.com/r/EQNext/search?q=John+Smedley

Official Daybreak Game Forums
https://forums.station.sony.com/soe/index.php

oh my
# Feb 11 2015 at 11:25 PM Rating: Decent
Scholar
**
269 posts
http://rrc-raiders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5830&p=43618#p43618

The list goes on and on and on.

http://www.reddit.com/r/EQNext/comments/2vkvji/ventinglayoffs_discussion_thread/

http://www.tentonhammer.com/news/everquest-next/breaking-daybreak-game-company-soe-actually-breaks

Interesting read including the comment by John Smedley on the article.
http://eq2wire.com/2015/02/12/opinion-on-daybreak-games-it-didnt-have-to-be-this-way/


Edited, Feb 11th 2015 7:40pm by Adani

Edited, Feb 11th 2015 7:55pm by Adani

Edited, Feb 12th 2015 9:10pm by Adani
1 2 Next »
Post Comment

Free account required to post

You must log in or create an account to post messages.