Despite cutting a significant portion of its global workforce, development studio Virtuos has reaffirmed its commitment to high-profile projects like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Cyberpunk 2077, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
The Singapore-headquartered company recently laid off 270 employees – 200 from its Asian offices and 70 from Europe – as part of what it calls a “rebalancing of roles across our studios and geographies.” Yet, Virtuos stressed that the core team behind Oblivion Remastered, based in France, remains largely untouched, with fewer than 10 roles affected.
“We are evolving to meet the changing needs of our partners and the games industry,” the company stated. While the layoffs are undoubtedly difficult, Virtuos emphasized its support for those affected through severance packages, career transition help, and potential redeployment opportunities.
While the cuts have stirred concerns, Virtuos reassured fans and industry watchers alike that active work continues on all its major projects. Oblivion Remastered‘s next major patch (Update 1.2) is expected to roll out shortly. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 just received a new 2.3 update across all platforms, adding vehicles, gigs, and expanded photo mode features. The company also confirmed that development is progressing steadily on Metal Gear Solid Delta, which is set to launch on August 28.
Virtuos’ strategic pivot follows recent acquisitions of North American and European teams, with a new focus on areas showing the most demand. The company has decided to move away from segments with declining interest, signaling a more focused direction going forward.
Best known as a co-development powerhouse, Virtuos has contributed to titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Mortal Kombat 1. With over 4,000 employees prior to the layoffs, Virtuos remains a key player in the gaming ecosystem-even as it navigates tough transitions and an evolving industry landscape.