Gas Powered Games faces layoffs, considers closing Kickstarter
Yuliya Geikhman January 19, 2013 - 4:38 amThe studio behind Wildman has been hit with some major layoffs, causing Gas Powered Games CEO Chris Taylor to consider shutting down the game’s Kickstarter campaign.
When we spoke with him, Gas Powered Games CEO Chris Taylor seemed optimistic about the upcoming game Wildman and where things were going. Sadly, things are not looking as good for the studio anymore as it faces layoffs.
About 40 employees have been left without a job at GPG Studios. Taylor told Joystiq that the decision to restructure at this time came from wanting to make sure that the employees get severance and paid time off. “I think everyone agrees better to have a few bucks to find the next job that run this train to the end and have nothing left to work with,” Taylor said. “It’s one thing for me to bet the company, but I can’t bet their last severance money, that’s not cool.”
Taylor has posted a very sincere video update on the Wildman Kickstarter campaign, letting everyone know what’s going on with the company and explaining his actions. He has also reached out to the Kickstarter community and Wildman backers, asking them to help him decide what to do about the campaign: should he let it run through to the end and reassemble the team if it succeeds, or should he shut it down right away.
So far the update has been seeing an overwhelmingly encouraging response, with fans urging Taylor to continue the Kickstarter. Many point out that the numbers have been promising, and that at least this will give Taylor and everyone at Gas Powered Games a chance. Whatever Taylor chooses to do, we wish him and all those involved the best of luck, and hope that they’ll make it through this tough patch and emerge bigger and better than ever.
