Developer Don’t Nod, one of the studios behind the Life is Strange series, has suffered another wave of layoffs recently, as reported by Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’s cinematic artist. Founded in 2008, the French developer became a studio to watch after the release of the first Life is Strange game in 2015. Since then, Don’t Nod released the series’ popular sequel in 2018, and the team is also behind a slew of other non-franchise-related titles, such as Vampyr, Jusant, and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.
Don’t Nod brought Life is Strange’s eponymous debut and its sequel to life, while Deck Nine took over developing duties for the prequel Before the Storm, True Colors, and Double Exposure. After launching to mixed reviews in 2024, Life is Strange: Double Exposure publisher Square Enix reported “large losses” from its release, despite the Deck Nine team returning an older Max Caulfield to the story.
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Reported on LinkedIn, Principal Cinematic Artist Mary Pouliot confirmed she had been affected by Don’t Nod Montreal’s recent layoffs. Pouliot noted that she had been anticipating the “dreadly fatality” due to the abundance of layoffs in the industry recently, but said it still came as a “real shock.” Don’t Nod was first hit with layoffs back in October 2024, affecting 21% of the studio’s staff after Jusant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden underperformed. Pouliot also confirmed that more of her colleagues were part of the recent layoff wave, although the specific number of affected employees was not given.
Don’t Nod’s Principle Cinematic Artist Confirms More Layoffs
Several Don’t Nod employees reached out to Pouliot on LinkedIn in response to the layoff announcement, with Don’t Nod Montreal Narrative Designer Alexandra B. expressing “how sudden it still feels even when it’s almost getting predictable.” Fellow Cinematic Artist Johanna B. added how they had watched Pouliot give her “time, expertise, and energy” to deliver the “best cinematics possible” within the team. Additionally, further demonstrating the devastating wave of layoffs that have been affecting the entire gaming industry for the past few years, Life is Strange: Double Exposure’s Deck Nine was also hit with a second round of layoffs at the end of 2024 amid industry challenges.
Preceding Don’t Nod’s upcoming cinematic action-adventure Aphelion, due to release sometime in 2026, the developer’s recent release Lost Records: Bloom & Rage received a favorable review from GameRant. Praise was given to its well-written characters, nostalgic setting, fantastic music that’s become the developer’s staple, and the plentiful amount of meaningful collectibles on offer for players to find.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
7/10
- Released
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February 18, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes. Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5