There have been significant layoffs at Berlin-based Popcore, the Take-Two/Zynga-owned hypercasual studio, according to multiple LinkedIn posts from staff today.
Multiple staffers have posted on the social network that roles in art, design, UX/UI, development, product management, publishing, QA, motion design, UA, comms, HR and more have been eliminated.
We have contacted Take-Two/Zynga for comment and to confirm the number of staff affected.
UPDATE: Popcore has confirmed the layoffs, telling us: “Popcore regularly evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of our organization to ensure that our resources are aligned properly with our needs and long-term goals. At times, we need to make changes and today, we announced a small restructuring that will affect a certain number of our colleagues across different locations.”
“These decisions are difficult to make, and we are committed to providing those affected with the utmost respect, gratitude, and commensurate severance packages. This restructuring will allow us to maintain our focus on lean and data-driven game ideation as a means to create new and exciting titles for Popcore’s genre and players.”
Popcore did not confirm the number of roles affected.
Popcore’s flagship titles include Pull the Pin and Parking Jam 3D, which have both topped the US App Store charts. The business was acquired by Istanbul-based Zynga subsidiary Rollic in November 2022 for an undisclosed sum.
The firm’s difficulties are just the latest sign that the hypercasual market is struggling after the introduction of Apple’s ATT policies. Several hypercasual category specialists including Kwalee, Voodoo and SayGames have said they are now pivoting into the hybridcasual space.
