In a surprising turn of events, That's No Moon—the studio behind the upcoming sci-fi shooter Crossfire—has reportedly laid off 14 employees shortly after its big reveal.

Key Takeaways

  • That's No Moon has laid off 14 staff members.
  • The layoffs occur just two months after the reveal of their new game, Crossfire.
  • The studio features veterans from Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward.
  • The official reason for these sudden cuts remains unannounced.

The gaming industry is facing another wave of uncertainty. That's No Moon, an ambitious studio composed of industry veterans from Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward, has reportedly undergone significant layoffs. This comes as a massive blow, especially since the studio only two months ago unveiled its highly anticipated cinematic military shooter, Crossfire.

According to reports from IGN, several developers have taken to social media to confirm their departure. A senior concept artist revealed that a total of 14 staffers were affected by the cuts. Among those impacted were junior developers, including an environment artist for whom this was their first industry role. The lack of transparency regarding why these layoffs are happening so soon after the game's announcement—and long before a release date—has left the community puzzled.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that these early-stage layoffs are a red flag for the stability of upcoming AAA-style projects. When a studio begins shedding talent before their debut title even hits the market, it raises critical questions about their funding, development roadmap, and long-term viability in an increasingly volatile market.

Massive layoffs during the pre-launch phase of a debut title often signal underlying financial instability or a pivot in studio direction.

Crossfire is intended to be a sci-fi-infused military shooter featuring an adaptive cover system designed to react to the environment. While the trailer showcased impressive rocky terrain and stealth mechanics, much remains unknown about the final gameplay loop. The game is part of the broader Crossfire franchise, which has seen various iterations, including the ill-fated CrossfireX and the delisted Crossfire: Legion.

Historical Background

The Crossfire series originated as a successful Korean tactical FPS. However, its expansion into other genres has seen mixed results. For instance, the collaboration with Remedy Entertainment for CrossfireX was shut down only a year after its release, highlighting the high-risk nature of modern game development.

Did You Know?: The Crossfire franchise has attempted multiple genres, including real-time strategy (RTS) and single-player campaigns, with varying degrees of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How many people were laid off from That's No Moon?
A: Reports indicate that 14 employees were affected by the layoffs.

Q2: What is the upcoming game from the studio?
A: The studio is developing a cinematic sci-fi military shooter titled Crossfire.