WB Games Montreal Cuts 99 Jobs, Primarily Affecting Subcontractors

Today, the French news outlet Radio-Canada reported a significant workforce reduction at WB Games Montreal, revealing that 99 developers have been laid off. Notably, most of those affected were subcontractors employed through the service provider Keywords, a company well-regarded for linking gaming studios with skilled professionals.

These layoffs predominantly affected the Quality Assurance (QA) department, where many workers contributed to the development of the recently released title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This development comes in the wake of Rocksteady’s announcement that they will cease support for this live-service shooter on January 14, 2025.

Reports indicate that the laid-off employees are expected to conclude their time at WB Montreal in about eight weeks, with an estimated departure date around February. According to a source quoted by Radio-Canada, those impacted have been given an option to remain on a contact list for future projects at WB Games Montreal, although the likelihood of immediate work appears slim, with some predictions suggesting no new roles may emerge until 2026. However, the accuracy of this claim remains uncertain, as there were previous assurances that WB Games Montreal had adequate projects lined up.

The disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League comes as no surprise to many industry observers. The game’s subpar reception directly contributed to Warner Bros. Games experiencing a notable 41% revenue decline in Q2 2024. This downturn likely influenced Rocksteady’s strategic decision to discontinue the game, especially considering that they had anticipated revenue losses due to the absence of major releases comparable to Hogwarts Legacy.

At present, the specific projects under development at WB Games Montreal are somewhat unclear, aside from their recent work on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Historically, the studio has been known for titles such as Gotham Knights and Batman: Arkham Origins. While not officially confirmed, speculation suggests that the team is working on a new DC Comics game utilizing the advanced capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.

Looking ahead, the sequel to Hogwarts Legacy has emerged as WB Games’ primary focus, following the outstanding commercial success of the original title. Remarkably, the sales of Hogwarts Legacy exceeded the expectations of the WB Games Senior Brand Manager, reflecting its pivotal role in the publisher’s future strategy.

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