Niantic, which has been attempting to duplicate the huge success of Pokémon Go with different cell AR video games, is shedding 8 p.c of its workforce and canceling 4 initiatives, as reported by Bloomberg.
“We not too long ago determined to cease manufacturing on some initiatives and cut back our workforce by about eight p.c to concentrate on our key priorities,” Niantic VP of communications Jonny Thaw stated in a press release to The Verge. “We’re grateful for the contributions of these leaving Niantic and we’re supporting them by way of this tough transition.
“This implies we are able to concentrate on our most essential priorities, together with Pokémon Go and a choose set of latest experiences, in addition to the Lightship platform. This elevated focus, as nicely our robust core enterprise, places us able to climate the broader financial uncertainty many firms are dealing with and proceed investing in the way forward for AR.”
In line with Bloomberg, the modifications imply Niantic is canceling Transformers: Heavy Steel, a sport made in partnership with Sleep No Extra creator Punchdrunk, and two titles codenamed Blue Sky and Snowball. About 85 to 90 individuals are being let go.
Pokémon Go has confirmed to be an everlasting hit regardless of being practically six years outdated, however different AR video games haven’t had fairly as a lot success. Niantic has not too long ago shut down AR video games primarily based on the Catan and Harry Potter franchises, and Microsoft shut down Minecraft Earth final 12 months. That stated, Niantic nonetheless appears dedicated to creating new video games — its cute sport Peridot is in a gentle launch, and the corporate simply introduced an NBA title.