Amid the widespread layoffs in the video game industry over recent years, NetEase Games has also initiated separations with its studios and partners. Among those affected are the American developers of Marvel Rivals (six characters total), along with other Western studios experiencing contract terminations. Worlds Untold, Liquid Swords, and Jar of Sparks appear to be impacted, while Nagoshi’s studio must finish its game without additional funding, either financial or in terms of development time. It is also notable that Quantic Dream, fully acquired by NetEase Games in 2022, has not released a new game since 2018’s Detroit: Become Human. However, the French studio has sought to reassure everyone, stating it is exempt from these layoffs. This assurance was communicated via LinkedIn by the studio’s CEO, Guillaume de Fondaumière.
We were deeply saddened to learn of the recent layoffs and studio closures affecting certain divisions within NetEase Group. Our thoughts go out to all those impacted, and we sincerely hope they find new opportunities quickly.
David Cage and I wish to express our gratitude to the fans and friends who have contacted us recently regarding QUANTIC DREAM. We would like to reassure everyone that our studios in Paris and Montreal are not affected. We continue to develop our projects at full capacity, with several positions available in both cities (please refer to
Founded 28 years ago, QUANTIC DREAM adheres to the strategy established by David and myself in 2019, following NetEase’s initial acquisition of a minority stake in our company. Over the past six years, NetEase has been a committed partner, offering us the creative freedom and financial support essential for our studio’s growth and success. In 2022, QUANTIC DREAM became a fully owned subsidiary of NetEase, aligning with our shared vision for the future.
In addition to reassuring loyal fans, collaborators, and industry professionals, Guillaume de Fondaumière also notes that 2024 has been Quantic Dream’s most financially successful year to date, largely due to the ongoing sales of Detroit: Become Human, which have surpassed the threshold of 11 million copies sold. This allows the company to continue working on Star Wars Eclipse as planned.
In 2024, we achieved our highest revenue in history, thanks to the exceptional performance of our back catalog titles. Notably, Detroit: Become Human reached 11 million units sold worldwide on PlayStation and PC last year, an impressive increase of 2 million units compared to the previous year, demonstrating the enduring appeal and quality of our titles. The developments of our current projects are progressing as planned, and we are fully committed to delivering and launching these innovative and high-quality titles in the future.
