Industry Realities Hit Worker-Run Studios: KO_OP Lays Off 13 Employees Amid Severe Indie Funding Drought

By Chris Kerr, Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com September 14, 2026 Executive Overview The ongoing financial crisis within the global video game industry has claimed another notable victim. KO_OP—the acclaimed, worker-run independent development studio recognized for narrative-driven titles such as Goodbye Volcano High and the recently launched multiplayer life simulator Young Suns—has announced the layoff of…

Read Full News

Inside EA’s $55 Billion Buyout: Worker Anxiety, Saudi Investment, and the New Era of "Pixelwashing"

Executive Overview The video game industry has weathered profound structural shifts over the past decade, moving from independent studio ecosystems to massive corporate conglomerates. However, few transactions match the sheer scale, geopolitical complexity, and cultural friction of Electronic Arts’ (EA) transition to private ownership. Acquired for a staggering $55 billion by an investor consortium spearheaded…

Read Full News