Cut back on staff by close to 2,000 workers in the past year, announces Embracer Group
Embracer Group, the Swedish gaming giant, has bid farewell to a whopping 1,857 employees in the past year, as part of a dramatic shakeup. This restructuring program, which has been initiated following a series of costly mergers and acquisitions, has already claimed around 1,400 jobs by the end of 2023.
Despite some employees departing due to asset sales like Easybrain, Saber Interactive, and Gearbox, layoffs have been prevalent, notably in Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal. Embracer is also in the midst of splitting into three standalone publicly-traded entities, with incoming CEO Phil Rogers, former exec at Eidos and Square Enix, taking charge come August 2025.
The gaming industry giant detailed its internal headcount in its 2025 annual report. In the PC/Console Games segment, which includes studios like Plaion, THQ Nordic, Coffee Stain, Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, and Amplifier Game Invest, the headcount plummeted from 6,404 in 2024 to 4,918 in 2025, indicating 1,486 employee departures. The Mobile Games segment also saw a significant drop in headcount from 1,081 in 2024 to 743 in 2025. A smaller yet noticeable decline occurred in the Entertainment and Services division, with 738 employees compared to the 771 employees in 2024.
According to Embracer, the successful completion of its restructuring program has streamlined the company, making it leaner and more focused. The company is optimistic that the wider game industry is beginning to stabilize after years of turbulence.
Embracer's aggressive acquisition strategy, market challenges, integration complexities, and the need to optimize its expanding portfolio have all played a role in the cost-cutting measures over recent years. Crucial studio closures, project cancellations, and strategic reshaping have become integral elements of Embracer's operations, as it seeks long-term profitability and scalability. The company's restructuring timeline and reasons for these cost-cutting measures are illustrated in the accompanying details.
*(Provided for Context: Embracer Group’s Restructuring Program Timeline, Reasons for Cost-Cutting Measures)
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In the face of Embracer Group's restructuring program, the gaming industry, entertainment, and finance sectors have been impacted, with layoffs occurring in various studios such as Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal. To streamline the company and achieve long-term profitability, Embracer has been implementing cost-cutting measures, which include strategic reshaping, studio closures, and project cancellations.
