Trion has confirmed the layoffs – we’ve updated below.
Trion Worlds in general and ArcheAge in specific are going through a turbulent time this week as the studio has levied layoffs in the studio that have affected an unknown number of employees. Among those affected include ArcheAge Associate Producer Seraphina Brennan and Customer Support/Environmental Artist Jessica Pate.https://twitter.com/lukewarmdogg/status/1020048953063149570
Compounding the bad news is word that ArcheAge Community Manager Joe “Muzzy” Brogno has left the studio of his own volition to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. Linda “Brasse” Carlson is taking over as interim CM for the time being.
“Another chapter in my life draws me from Trion and into a whole new adventure. I’m off to pursue one of my other passions, and if I am successful, it’s largely because of all that I have learned from being your CM on ArcheAge,” Brogno posted.
Trion had just launched Defiance 2050 and purchased the remains of Gazillion, saying it intended to bolster its publishing arm. It is unclear whether the layoffs are related.
Massively OP has reached out to Trion Worlds for clarity on this situation; it’s still early out there on the west coast, so we’ll update with the formal statement when we have it.
“We’ve had to make the difficult decision to eliminate 15 positions throughout the company. We are extremely grateful for those who have been impacted for their hard work and contributions to Trion Worlds, and will be offering each of them severance benefits and job placement assistance. This is not related to the performance of the individuals affected nor of Trion Worlds as a whole, but was necessary to enable us to develop the upcoming projects that we have planned in the best ways possible.”
