Funcom, the developer behind Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles, has announced a structural reorganization that will include a round of layoffs. Current CEO Rui Casais will step down once the restructuring is complete.
This decision stems from a strategic shift at Funcom, with the studio now fully focused on operating and maintaining its existing survival RPGs. In a statement cited by GamesIndustry.biz, Casais described Dune: Awakening as "the largest project in the company's history, requiring years of significant R&D resources from studios across the organization." He also noted that "transitioning from full-scale development to long-term post-launch operations and updates requires a different organizational structure."
"We had hoped that all employees involved in the development of Dune: Awakening could continue with us, but as we enter the next phase, we can no longer sustain the staff size and structure required during peak development. My current focus is ensuring that affected employees receive the best possible support, treating every colleague with respect and transparency."
Dune: Awakening was a blockbuster hit for Funcom when it launched last June. The survival MMO sold over one million copies within its first two weeks, becoming the fastest-selling game in the history of the Norwegian developer. Despite this strong start, the game's long-term performance remains uncertain.
In the months following its release, Dune: Awakening saw a significant drop in player numbers, with its PvP gameplay and faction-based endgame content receiving mixed reviews from the community. Funcom conducted a round of layoffs last October, and last month the studio implemented a comprehensive overhaul of Dune: Awakening, de-emphasizing its MMO elements and adding single-player and pure PvE modes, though more competitive multiplayer options remain available.
In addition to the Dune: Awakening overhaul, Funcom's other survival title, Conan Exiles, received a major update this year. It switched to a new engine, released a substantial paid DLC, and introduced detailed sculpting sliders, allowing players to customize the appearance of their characters' intimate areas with greater precision.
With revamps for both titles now complete, Funcom appears to be focusing on maintaining its existing games for the foreseeable future. In an interview with GamesIndustry last month, Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos stated that the studio was "not ready to kick off new projects," with future plans remaining only "vague ideas in our minds."
Funcom did not disclose the number of employees affected by the layoffs. However, the company stated in its press release that the restructuring is "effective immediately" and that, out of "respect for the affected employees," no further details would be released until the process is complete. Upon completion of the restructuring, Rui Casais will be succeeded by Scott Junior, who currently serves as Funcom's Chief Product Officer and Executive Producer for Dune: Awakening.