THE layoffs in the gaming world they plagued 2023 and 2024 is no different, in fact, it is picking up pace to surpass last year. We just reported the layoffs at CI Games (parent company of the Lords of the Fallen team) and now we also have to bring up Lightforge Games, the team created by ex-Blizzard and ex-Epic Games. The company is laying off the bulk of its workforce and pausing its game, Project ORCSwhich would be the team’s first title.
Matt Schembari – CEO of Lightforce Games – wrote on LinkedIn: “Today we announced the suspension of development of Project ORCS and laying off most of the staff at the end of the month. The remaining team will come together to see what the future of the studio might be.”
“Although today is a sad day for Lightforge, I am very proud of the work we have done and the team we have built over the last four years. We always knew this was an ambitious project, but we took it forward thanks to a shared passion for collaborative storytelling and a desire to do something different both as a project and as a studio.”
“I want thank the incredible team that dedicated to this project his time, his energy, his skills, his experience and his passion. You are all an inspiration and I can’t wait to see what you do next. I would also like to thank everyone who supported us, who trusted us and who joined us on this journey.”
“To everyone who is hiring, this is a very special team. We will share a list of interested individuals shortly, but please feel free to contact me for more information at any time.”
“For the time being, I reserve the right not to do any retrospective as we go through the process over the next few weeks and regroup for find a sustainable future for the studio. However, I intend to share what I can, in the hope that telling our story will help our friends at other studios.”
“The journey continues – just on a different road – and I would like to thank everyone who has been part of it so far. Love to all.”
What is Project ORCS?
Project ORCS is an ambitious project born from the minds of Blizzard and Epic Games alumni and in development since 2021. At the time, Lightforge Games managed to secure solid funding to kick off the development of ORCS, which was called a ‘multi-platform “social experience” with “unprecedented freedom and world-building”.
According to a statement from the studio, Project ORCS would deliver elements of Minecraft fused with the sandbox storytelling mechanics of a TTRPG. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see what the team envisioned anytime soon (and maybe never).
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