Twitch and Unity Slash Over 2,000 Jobs in Major Tech Layoffs
Streaming giant Twitch cuts 500 employees while game engine developer Unity lays off 1,800 workers, marking a brutal start to 2024 for the tech and gaming industries.
Streaming platform Twitch and game engine developer Unity experience massive layoffs this week, cutting a combined total of over 2,000 jobs. Twitch lets go of approximately 500 employees as CEO Dan Clancy admits the organization remains significantly larger than its business size requires. This marks the third round of job cuts for the Amazon-owned company, which has never turned a profit since its nearly $1 billion acquisition in 2014.
Unity takes even more drastic measures by eliminating 1,800 roles, which accounts for a staggering 25 percent of its total workforce. This major reduction follows a disastrous attempt late last year to change the Unity Engine's business model by charging developers per game install. The severe backlash from that proposed change leads to the retirement of CEO John Riccitiello and the cancellation of a major partnership with Weta FX.
These sweeping job cuts indicate that 2024 continues the harsh trend of mass layoffs that plague the gaming and tech industries throughout 2023. Both companies express gratitude to the affected employees for their dedication and contributions. The sudden loss of work impacts thousands of professionals right at the start of the new year.