The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria developer Free Vary Video games has reportedly laid off the complete improvement crew of an unannounced recreation, which totaled round 80 staff.
Through LinkedIn, a number of builders shared the information and introduced their job searches over the previous week. This consists of senior UX/UI designer Quinn withsenior technical narrative designer James Binnsgovernment producer Jacob van Rooyenquest designer Tracy Runanin-Telleand senior producers Adrienne Daniel and Joseph Knox.
“On Monday, the undertaking I have been engaged on for the final 4 years was pulled from our arms, and our complete improvement crew was laid off,” Lee wrote. “We’re all saddened, off-balance, however most of all, trying to the long run.”
Knox stated that the undertaking had “its writer pull funding,” which has affected “80 devs.” Daniel additionally talked about this determine of their farewell publish. Runanin-Telle’s profile mentions an unannounced undertaking, during which the designer did “content material creation for a number of quests in an open-world setting,” amidst a myriad of different duties.
Free Vary Video games is but to make an announcement acknowledging the newest reported layoffs. Two weeks in the past, not less than 5 builders wrote a publish saying they had been now in search of new work alternatives. 4 of them used the identical messaging, which reads as follows: “Hello everybody! I’m in search of a brand new function and would admire your help. For those who hear of any alternatives or simply wish to catch up, please ship me a message or remark beneath.”
Shortly after, one among them, lead quest designer Adam Alim, wrote, “right here we’re once more with the layoffs,” sharing particulars about their previous expertise alongside a portfolio.
Free Vary Video games beforehand laid off staff in April 2025
In response to the corporate’s LinkedIn profilethere are not less than 117 staff related to it. The reported layoffs mark the second time the corporate has let go of employees this yr. The primary passed off three months in the past, which the studio introduced through social media.
The corporate did not disclose the precise variety of staff affected within the earlier layoffs, nevertheless it did say that “a few of them” had “chosen to share their profiles” together with the announcement. The checklist included 13 individuals throughout a number of departments.
The studio is at present engaged on an internet skateboarding recreation known as Wreklesswhich is about to launch “quickly” on Steam Early Entry. It is unclear if that is the undertaking that was reportedly shut down. The studio has beforehand served as an exterior developer on video games like The Callisto Protocol and Oddworld: Soulstorm.
Sport Developer has reached out to Free Vary Video games for touch upon the matter.
