Humble Games hit with mass layoffs as publisher reportedly faces shutdown

Humble Games hit with mass layoffs as publisher reportedly faces shutdown

As a long-time fan of Humble Games and someone who has closely followed their impressive catalog of indie releases, I was deeply saddened to hear about the recent layoffs that hit the team this week. Having enjoyed games like Fae Tactics, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, and Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, I can’t help but feel a personal connection to the team and their contributions to the gaming industry.


As a seasoned HR professional with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and concern as yet another round of layoffs hits the industry, this time affecting the entire team at Humble Games. Having been through similar situations myself in the past, I know all too well the sense of uncertainty and fear that comes with losing one’s job.

Reports have emerged from Humble Games about job losses affecting their team. Among those let go were senior QA staff member Emilee Kiefer, with other sources confirming that all 36 employees under the Humble Games umbrella were terminated this week. The layoffs were instigated by Ziff Davis, who own Humble Bundle and Humble Games since 2017. However, a representative for Humble Games stated to GamesIndustry.Biz that this was simply a restructuring process, assuring that the company is not shutting down and ongoing projects will remain unaffected.

Friends, unfortunately I and the whole team at Humble Games were let go this morning. if any game studios are in need of a seasoned or leading QA expert, please reach out to me – I am currently available for new opportunities.

— 🎃Emil-EEK!🎃 (@Emilee3D) July 23, 2024

Humble Games is now part of the list of companies under Ziff Davis that have undergone layoffs. This was announced after Ziff Davis acquired several media outlets, including GamesIndustry.Biz, VG247, and Rock Paper Shotgun, in May 2024. Many long-term employees from these established sites were let go, as reported by Aftermath.

It’s unfortunate yet impressive how Humble Games played a significant role in introducing a multitude of high-quality indie games to the market. One standout example is Fae Tactics, which came out in 2020 and beautifully combined elements from Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea while launching a fresh new IP from EndlessFluff Games. Humble Games continued to deliver enjoyable titles throughout the years, such as Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (2023) and Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus (2024).

In 2024, Humble Games became yet another company in the gaming industry to experience layoffs despite the uncertainty of the cause. Keep an eye on our news for more information as it unfolds.

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2024-07-23 23:27