Boss of Worms Company Team17 Axed Amid Sweeping Layoffs

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Worms maker Team17 is set for significant layoffs as well as the exit of its CEO.

Eurogamer reported Team17’s quality assurance (QA) department will bear the brunt of the layoffs, with around 50 roles at risk. A consultation process is set to end in November. Meanwhile, CEO Michael Pattison is expected to leave.

Team17 confirmed the layoffs in a statement to IGN, although it insisted its Astragon and Storytoys businesses are unaffected.

“In response to the reports concerning the departure of Michael Pattison from Team17, we can confirm we have amicably parted ways with Michael. We can also confirm that we have sadly entered into a period of consultation today within Team17 Digital, with Astragon and Storytoys remaining unaffected by the restructuring plans.”

A 2022 Eurogamer report into Team17 revealed concern among staff about pay, working conditions, and management failures. Changes were promised as a result.

Team17 Group PLC shares have fallen steadily throughout 2023, with the company losing almost half its value since January. Last month, Team17 reported “strong” revenue growth for the first half of its financial year ending June 30, and insisted it expects full year results in line with expectations.

Revenue increased 31% to just under £70 million, with gross profit up 18% to £30.2 million. The company was sitting on net cash of £45.2 million, with a group headcount of 438, up from 392 for the 2022 financial year. Team17 games launched this year include Dredge, Trepang2, and Killer Frequency.

News of the Team17 layoffs is the latest development in what has been a torrid time for the UK video game industry. IGN reported on significant redundancies set for Sega-owned Creative Assembly after the cancellation of extraction shooter Hyenas. Elsewhere, Fall Guys developer Mediatonic was said to have been “decimated” by layoffs triggered by parent company Epic Games, creator of battle royale Fortnite.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.