The letter highlights a “lack of transparency and communication,” claiming leadership supplied only sparse, vague updates and frequently implemented major process changes without consulting the teams who would be affected.
Signatories also call out unsustainable working conditions, describing mandatory overtime — roughly eight extra hours per week — and promises of time off in return that many staff never managed to take because they were continually asked to handle additional “high‑priority” tasks, even after the game shipped.
They say the studio’s handling of redundancies after the launch has been chaotic. According to the letter, leadership repeatedly bungled the redundancy process, leaving staff confused and distressed: employees received incorrect information, dismissal notices with the wrong notice periods, and were even assigned to the wrong teams so their performance was evaluated by inappropriate managers. The group warns these mistakes may have led to the wrongful termination of dozens of people.
The developers insist “BARB needs to change” — calling for senior executives to step back and for the remaining skilled staff to be empowered to rebuild the studio. To that end, the letter sets out several demands for studio leadership:
- A public apology for the mistreatment of staff and fair compensation for those who were laid off;
- The right for employees on redundancy notice to either serve their notice period or receive Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON);
- A genuine, documented plan to improve workplace practices and conditions, including formal recognition of the IWGB as a trade union;
- A pledge to use independent external partners to manage any future redundancies to ensure fair treatment.
Let’s hope the rest of the upcoming games for 2025 avoid a similar fate.
Source: gamesradar.com
