The Entire Team Behind Luna Abyss from Kwalee Labs has Been Laid Off, CEO Reveals, Weeks After Luna Abyss’ Launch

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Kwalee Labs Lays Off Luna Abyss Team 26 Days After Launch

   Kwalee Labs terminated the entire development team for the sci-fi shooter Luna Abyss. The layoffs occurred less than a month after the game released on PC and consoles. CEO Hollie Emery announced the decision on LinkedIn.

   What's confirmed:

   • Kwalee Labs laid off the full development team for Luna Abyss.
   • The layoffs took place 26 days after the game launched.
   • CEO Hollie Emery announced the redundancies on LinkedIn.
   • Luna Abyss is a sci-fi shooter.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Low Steam player counts contributed to the layoffs.
   • A crowded release schedule caused the game to be overlooked.
   confidence 90%
2. 5d ago

   Kwalee Labs CEO Confirms Full Team Layoff After Luna Abyss Launch

   Kwalee Labs laid off the entire development team for Luna Abyss weeks after the title launched on PC and consoles. CEO Hollie Emery announced the move on LinkedIn. All affected staff are currently seeking new employment.

   What's confirmed:

   • Kwalee Labs CEO Hollie Emery announced the layoffs on LinkedIn.
   • The entire Luna Abyss development team was laid off weeks after the game released.
   • Luna Abyss launched on PC and consoles.
   • Hollie Emery stated the decision was completely outside of the team's control.
   confidence 100%
3. 6d ago

   Kwalee Labs Lays Off All Luna Abyss Staff

   Kwalee Labs terminated its entire nine person development team less than one month after the launch of Luna Abyss. The cosmic horror shooter is available on Steam. No staff remain at the developer to support the title.

   What's confirmed:

   • The entire nine person development team at Kwalee Labs has been laid off.
   • The layoffs occurred less than one month after the launch of Luna Abyss.
   confidence 100%
4. 7d ago

   Kwalee Labs dissolves entire *Luna Abyss* team—26 days after launch

   Kwalee Labs has terminated all nine staff working on *Luna Abyss*, including CEO Hollie Emery, weeks after its June 2026 release. The critically acclaimed Xbox Game Pass title now faces an uncertain future despite strong early reception. The publisher cited external pressures, leaving no dedicated team to support or update the game. Former employees are now seeking new positions in the industry.

   What's confirmed:

   • The entire *Luna Abyss* development team—nine staff—has been laid off, including CEO Hollie Emery.
   • Kwalee Labs cited external factors beyond its control as the reason for the layoffs.
   • All former employees are now seeking new roles in the industry.
   • The game’s future remains uncertain despite its strong initial reviews.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • One source suggests the publisher has 'no tolerance for not finding an audience,' implying commercial failure as a factor.
   confidence 95%
5. 7d ago

   Kwalee Labs Shuts Down After Laying Off Entire 9-Person Luna Abyss Team Weeks Post-Launch

   Kwalee Labs has dissolved its entire development team—including CEO Hollie Emery—just 26 days after releasing *Luna Abyss*, a critically praised Xbox Game Pass title. The studio cited external factors beyond its control, leaving the game’s future uncertain despite strong initial reviews. The move underscores broader instability in subscription-driven game development. All nine staff are now seeking new roles.

   What's confirmed:

   • Kwalee Labs’ nine-person team behind *Luna Abyss* was laid off on June 16, 2026, just 26 days after the game’s May 21 launch.
   • CEO Hollie Emery stated the redundancies were ‘completely outside of our control’ and confirmed all staff are now available for work.
   • *Luna Abyss* holds a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam despite the studio’s collapse, per multiple reviews at launch.
   • The game was part of Xbox Game Pass at launch, but the studio’s shutdown raises questions about long-term support or updates.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The layoffs may stem from commercial struggles, though no financial details have been disclosed.
   • Some reports suggest the shutdown exposes ‘a core flaw in subscription gaming,’ but no direct evidence supports this claim.
   • Unconfirmed speculation hints at broader industry pressures, though no additional studio collapses have been linked.
   confidence 97%