Techland Cancels 2 Games in Development, Confirms No Layoffs
▼ Summary
– Techland confirmed no staff reductions occurred despite canceling two unannounced games, with affected developers reassigned to other projects.
– The company reported record losses of 135m zl (£27.4m) in 2024, with one canceled project likely being a fantasy RPG announced in 2022.
– Techland’s current focus is on releasing *Dying Light: The Beast* for PC and consoles, with future titles to be revealed post-launch.
– The canceled fantasy RPG aimed to be a next-gen open-world experience, leveraging talent from studios like CD Projekt Red and Arkane.
– Despite losses, Techland’s *Dying Light* franchise remains successful, with the sequel selling 5m copies in two months and spin-offs like board games planned.
Techland has confirmed the cancellation of two unannounced games while reassuring employees that no layoffs will occur as a result. The Polish studio, best known for the Dying Light series, reported substantial financial losses but emphasized that affected developers have been reassigned to other active projects.
According to financial records, the company faced a deficit of 135 million złoty (approximately £27.4 million) in 2024. While neither of the scrapped projects was officially named, industry speculation suggests one may have been the highly anticipated fantasy RPG first teased in 2022. That title had drawn attention after Techland recruited veteran developers from prominent studios like CD Projekt Red, Arkane, and Guerrilla Games.
In an official statement, a Techland representative explained: “Game development is an iterative process, and sometimes pivoting is necessary to achieve the best results. Importantly, these changes have not led to any job cuts, our teams have been seamlessly transitioned to other ongoing projects.”
The studio’s immediate priority remains Dying Light: The Beast, an upcoming expansion set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S later this month. Beyond that, Techland plans to share updates on future titles once the expansion is live.
Despite the financial setback, the company maintains a strong position in the industry. The original Dying Light (2015) surpassed 20 million copies sold, while its 2022 sequel, Dying Light 2, moved 5 million units in just two months. This success has led Techland to expand the franchise into other media, including board games and a webcomic, signaling a continued commitment to the IP.
CEO Paweł Marchewka previously described the canceled fantasy RPG as a “next-gen experience” set in a vast open world, blending the team’s expertise with fresh creative vision. While its fate remains uncertain, the studio’s focus on Dying Light suggests a strategic shift toward proven successes. Fans can expect more details on upcoming projects following the release of The Beast on August 22nd.
(Source: EuroGamer)
