Restructuring at Humble Games: The Human Impact
Humble Games, a well-known name in the indie game publishing community, has announced a significant restructuring
of its operations. This decision has not come without repercussions, particularly for the employees who make up the
heart and soul of the company. In this article, we explore the effects of this decision on Humble Games’ staff and
the future of its projects.
A Difficult Morning for Employees
News of the restructuring broke early, leaving the 36-person team reeling. For many, the announcement came without
prior warning, adding to the shock and dismay. An ex-employee, Kenny Schwarz, shared his sentiments on LinkedIn,
writing, “Like most of Humble Games today, I was notified that we were being laid off this morning. As much of a
bummer as it is to be in this position, I still appreciate that it’s been an amazing experience to work with so
many wonderful and talented people!”
Senior QA Emilee Kiefer also took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), to express her frustration. She criticized the industry for its volatile nature and the prioritization of
exponential growth over nurturing great teams and creating quality games.
In these challenging economic times for indie game publishing, Humble Games has made the difficult but necessary decision to restructure our operations. This decision was not made lightly; it involved much deliberation and careful thought, with the goal of ensuring the stability…
— Humble Games (@PlayHumbleGames) July 23, 2024
The Company’s Stance
In a statement provided to Game Developer, Humble maintained that this restructuring is aimed at ensuring the
stability and support of their developers and ongoing projects. Humble’s official statement read: “We are acutely
aware of the profound impact this decision has on our team members at Humble Games and deeply sympathize with
everyone affected. Our team’s contributions have been world-class and invaluable, supporting the launch of our games
since we started publishing in 2017.”
It’s clear that Humble is committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. The company
emphasized that ongoing and future projects will remain unaffected and reassured that the restructuring has no
impact on Humble Bundle’s operations.
Realities for the Laid-Off Employees
The restructuring leaves many employees uncertain about their future. Nicola Kwan, who handled Business Development
at Humble Games, confirmed that 36 employees were affected by the layoffs. Finding new employment in an already
competitive industry, exacerbated by numerous layoffs in gaming companies throughout 2024, poses an added challenge.
As stated by Kiefer, “Billionaires and CEOs are making record profits at the expense of the employees who actually
create the products.”
Reactions from the Gaming Community
The news wasn’t just shocking for the employees but also for the gaming community that admired Humble Games for its
support of indie developers. Title aficionados and industry professionals expressed their support and solidarity with
the laid-off employees. The community’s reaction demonstrates the interconnectedness of the industry where the loss
of jobs is not just a corporate issue but a communal one.
The Path Forward
Despite the turmoil, Humble Games remains committed to supporting its development partners. The company assures that
the transition will be handled with empathy and understanding, emphasizing that the support for ongoing and future
projects will not waver. Moving forward, the company aims to stabilize and continue facilitating creativity in the
indie gaming world.
Conclusion
The restructuring of Humble Games is a stark reminder of the uncertainties plaguing the gaming industry. While the
company endeavors to navigate these challenging times with compassion, the human impact is undeniable. For the
employees who have lost their jobs, this is a period of transition and uncertainty. As the industry watches closely,
one hopes for a future where stability and creative opportunities are not mutually exclusive.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our news website, and share your thoughts in the comments below.