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Quantic Dream Strike Seeks To Block 115 Layoffs That Developers Say Would Doom Star Wars Eclipse

Workers warn that cuts would remove staff developers say are needed to finish Eclipse and that the game's fate now rests with owner NetEase or Lucasfilm.

Overview

  • Employees staged a union-backed strike and picket at Quantic Dream’s Paris headquarters on Saturday to oppose a redundancy plan that could affect up to 115 people.
  • The layoffs follow the rapid shutdown and customer refunds for the 3v3 MOBA Spellcaster Chronicles, which had been expected to supply revenue and staff to fund ongoing work on Star Wars Eclipse.
  • Developers quoted by French outlet Gamekult told protesters that Eclipse cannot be completed if the planned cuts go ahead and that the at-risk staff could be reassigned to the Star Wars project.
  • A Lucasfilm delegation visited the studio the same day to review Eclipse progress while NetEase, Quantic Dream’s owner, has not confirmed its plans and has been reported to be considering a sale of the studio.
  • If the redundancies proceed, staff say production will lose trained workers and face delays or possible cancellation, a human impact that could force external decisions by NetEase or Lucasfilm about the project's future.