Nightingale developer, Inflexion Games, recently announced significant changes within the company due to the lack of commercial success of their game in early access. The Victorian fantasy survival game, Nightingale, initially saw a peak of 47,569 players upon its release on Steam in February. However, as player numbers dwindled and reviews remained average, Inflexion realized that the game was not performing as well as they had hoped.
Despite efforts to improve the game, including the addition of an offline mode in May, Inflexion has made the difficult decision to restructure its Canadian studio and close its UK office. In a statement shared by Inflexion boss Aaryn Flynn, he expressed his sadness over the situation and acknowledged the challenges the team has faced in recent weeks. The restructuring process will result in layoffs, impacting at least 22 team members, according to sources.
Flynn emphasized that while they are proud of what they have achieved with Nightingale and appreciate the support from the community, the game’s lack of commercial success has led to the need for downsizing. The priority for Inflexion is to support the affected team members as they seek new opportunities, thanking them for their contributions to Nightingale.
In the midst of these changes, Flynn assured players that the studio remains committed to the game and will continue to work with the community to move forward. He also mentioned that more details on future Nightingale updates will be provided soon. The layoffs at Inflexion add to the growing number of job losses in the games industry in 2024, highlighting the challenges faced by developers in the current landscape.
The industry has seen around 13,000 job losses this year, in addition to the 10,500 workers laid off in 2023. The reasons behind these layoffs have been a topic of discussion, with industry experts sharing their insights on the matter. Chris Dring from GamesIndustry.biz previously offered his thoughts on the factors contributing to the job cuts within the games industry.
As Inflexion navigates through this period of change, the studio remains focused on its commitment to the game and the community. Despite the challenges faced, the team is determined to overcome the obstacles and continue to deliver updates and improvements to Nightingale. The support from players and the dedication of the team members are crucial as Inflexion moves forward in reshaping its operations and focusing on the future of the game.
