Bithell Games Lays Off Majority of Staff Amid Funding Challenges

Bithell Games, the UK-based studio behind Tron Catalyst and John Wick Hex, has laid off 11 full-time employees, constituting the majority of its staff. Founder Mike Bithell announced the redundancies on Bluesky, citing the inability to secure a new large-scale project as the primary reason. The studio, which recently released the Disney-licensed Tron Catalyst, faced funding challenges common in the 2024-2025 game development landscape.

Bithell emphasized the talent of the affected team and encouraged other studios to consider hiring them. Severance packages were provided to ease the transition. The layoffs won’t impact the availability of the studio’s self-published games, including The Banished Vault and Amberspire. Bithell’s statement highlighted the broader industry struggles, with many teams facing similar funding hurdles.

The news follows a trend of layoffs across the gaming industry, with indie studios particularly vulnerable. Bithell Games, known for its original and licensed projects, remains operational but at a reduced capacity. Mike Bithell’s call to action underscores the importance of supporting displaced talent in a competitive market.

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