A new report reveals that Embracer Group-owned developer Fishlabs was working on a new Red Faction game, but the project was canceled before layoffs hit the studio. The game, described as similar to Red Faction: Guerilla, was met with internal challenges and ultimately deemed unfeasible. The cancellation, alongside other factors, led to significant layoffs at Fishlabs and further emphasizes the ongoing struggles within the video game industry.
Phoenix Labs has experienced its third round of layoffs in over a year, affecting over 100 employees and resulting in the cancellation of multiple projects. This most recent wave of layoffs follows two previous rounds in 2023, amounting to significant staff reductions. The company has confirmed the layoffs but has not disclosed the exact number of impacted employees.
Amidst widespread layoffs, the US government has announced new guidelines to assist H-1B visa holders who have lost their jobs. These guidelines provide various pathways for individuals to extend their stay beyond the typical 60-day grace period.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued guidance for holders of certain nonimmigrant visas who have been laid off or fired, reminding them of their options to stay in the country. These options include filing for a change of nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status, or a “compelling circumstances” employment authorization document. The guidance also notes that individuals can extend their stay if they are the beneficiary of a nonfrivolous petition to change employers. This guidance comes amid a flurry of layoffs by some of the country’s largest employers, including Walmart, Google, Tesla, and Microsoft.
Careers site Indeed is laying off about 1,000 employees, or 8% of its workforce, in an effort to simplify its organization and reduce organizational layers. The company’s CEO, Chris Hyams, took responsibility for the job cuts and said that the firm is still not set up for growth after last year’s global slowdown in hiring resulted in declining sales. The latest cuts will be more concentrated in the US and will primarily affect research-and-development and go-to-market teams. The company will work to ensure that underrepresented groups are not disproportionately affected by the layoffs.
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has announced job cuts and a return-to-office policy for remote workers. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company is asking workers in Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto to relocate to larger hubs. Walmart has faced increasing pressure to automate its operations, and has closed several stores in recent months.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced plans to invest over $500 million in expanding the company’s Supercharger network this year. This announcement comes just over a week after Tesla laid off nearly 500 employees responsible for operating the charging business. Musk’s decision to expand the network despite the layoffs has raised questions about the future of Tesla’s charging operations.
Air India Express has commenced layoffs of cabin crew members who participated in Wednesday’s mass sick leaves, leading to the cancellation of 86 flights. The airline will continue to face disruptions on Thursday, with more than 70 services affected. The protest stems from Tata Group’s merging of Air India Express with AIX Connect, a move opposed by employees.
Dell is reportedly implementing rigorous measures to ensure employees return to physical offices. The company plans to monitor on-site presence through badge tracking and color-coded ratings, prompting concerns among managers who fear it could limit growth opportunities and lead to layoffs for remote workers.
Fintech company Simpl has laid off approximately 160-170 employees across multiple departments, including engineering and product development. The job cuts are part of the company’s efforts to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency as it faces high monthly cash burn and slowing user acquisition. The layoffs, which have affected about 25% of Simpl’s workforce, follow previous layoffs in March 2023. Despite hiring new staff in the intervening period, Simpl continues to face challenges related to profitability and maintaining sustainable growth.
