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It seems Hangar 13 can’t catch a break, following confirmation of a new round of layoffs at the Mafia studio.
According to Kotaku, the development outfit has had to dismiss a number of staff across its three global locations. This includes 50 members of the 87-person team based in their main headquarters of Novato California. The news comes just weeks following the departure of former studio head Haden Blackman.
It was Blackman’s successor, Nick Baynes, who informed the staff in a meeting from his Brighton, UK location. Kotaku obtained a recording of the meeting, in which Baynes apparently told the staff the following. “I know it sucks. I’m sorry I’m not over there to deliver this message. I will be coming over soon. I know you need some local leadership and structure and we’re working on it.”
Parent company 2K confirmed the layoffs in a statement. “2K is fully committed to the future of Hangar 13 as the studio navigates a challenging but ultimately promising transition period. As part of our ongoing evaluations to ensure our resources are aligned with our goals, we have made some changes that have resulted in a reduction of positions and parting ways with some colleagues.”
“These decisions are always difficult,” they added. “We are doing all we can to work with the impacted employees to find them new roles on other projects and teams at 2K, and are providing full support to those who cannot be redeployed, connecting them with industry networks and resources to find new opportunities outside of 2K.”
As per Kotaku, what remains of the team are currently working on the as-yet-unannounced Mafia prequel game & a reboot of tennis sim, Top Spin. The news also follows the cancellation of a $53 million dollar unannounced game from the studio late last year.
