Bithell Games to Lay Off Most Full-Time Employees Following Latest Game Release

Bithell Games Faces Major Layoffs After Latest Release

Bithell Games, known for its acclaimed indie titles such as Thomas Was Alone, John Wick Hex, and its latest offerings Tron Identity and Tron: Catalyst, has recently announced significant layoffs affecting a large portion of its full-time workforce. This decision comes less than two months following the release of Tron: Catalyst.

Official Announcement from Founder Mike Bithell

The founder and namesake of the studio, Mike Bithell, shared this news through a statement on his BlueSky account. In his message, he detailed the difficult circumstances necessitating the layoffs, attributing them primarily to the studio’s failure to secure a larger-scale project moving forward. He acknowledged that the studio had been aware of potential challenges prior to the release of Tron: Catalyst, stating, “It became clear leading up to the release of our most recent game that we were not immune to the challenges faced by many game development teams seeking funding partners in 2024 and 2025.”

Support for Affected Employees

Bithell expressed his commitment to supporting the affected employees during this transition, stating that the studio has worked to provide severance packages to ease the impact of these layoffs. He emphasized that these cuts will not hinder Bithell Games’ ability to maintain support for its existing titles, reassuring fans that ongoing projects, including a new title known as Amberspire, are still in development and will proceed as planned.

Timeline of Events

Tron: Catalyst was launched on various platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, on June 17, 2025. The timing of these layoffs, coming nearly two months post-launch, raises concerns about the studio’s current strategy and direction in an increasingly competitive market.

— Mike Bithell (@mikebithell.bsky.social) 2025-08-08T16:00:41.704Z

Looking Forward

The challenges faced by Bithell Games reflect broader trends within the indie game development industry, where securing funding continues to be a significant hurdle. As the landscape evolves, it remains crucial for studios to adapt and innovate in order to thrive. Fans and industry watchers alike will be keen to see how Bithell Games navigates these turbulent waters in the coming months.

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