Thick as Thieves Studio has laid off 17 employees following the cancellation of its second project in development. The studio, which has released only one game to date, confirmed the decision through an official statement.
A studio spokesperson claimed the cancelled title would have been "a huge success," suggesting internal confidence in the project's commercial potential. The layoffs represent a significant blow to the team, which now faces uncertainty about its future direction and pipeline.
Details remain sparse on what triggered the cancellation or the nature of the unreleased game. Budget constraints, publisher pressure, or internal development challenges could explain the decision, but the studio has not elaborated. With only one shipped title under its belt, Thick as Thieves was still establishing itself in a competitive market. Losing an entire second project halts momentum and forces the studio to recalibrate.
This layoff reflects broader industry turbulence. 2024 saw thousands of game developers lose jobs across major publishers and independent studios. Market consolidation, scaled-back spending, and shifting investment priorities have created instability even for smaller teams with promising work in progress.
For Thick as Thieves, the path forward depends on whether leadership can secure new funding or publisher backing to keep operations running. A single released game provides limited financial runway. Without a second project to offset costs or generate revenue, the studio faces pressure to either pivot quickly or scale further.
The loss of 17 skilled developers also represents a talent drain that will be difficult to recover from if the studio remains inactive. Developers may seek positions elsewhere rather than wait for unclear futures. Whether Thick as Thieves can recover from this setback or dissolve entirely remains to be seen.