Scottish mobile developer Outplay Entertainment cuts 15% of staff to "align operations with current business realities" "This was not a decision we took lightly," CEO says Image credit: Outplay Entertainment News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on June 5, 2025 Outplay Entertainment has cut more than 20 jobs to "align [its] operations with current business realities." The Dundee, Scotland-based studio, self-described as "the largest independent mobile game developer in the UK," states on its website that it employs 135 staff, although it's unclear if this figure includes the 21 roles that have been laid off. That's around 15% of its headcount. In a statement to MobileGamer, CEO Douglas Hare said: "Earlier this week, Outplay made the difficult decision to restructure parts of the business, which has affected as many as 21 team members across several departments. "This step was taken to align our operations with current business realities and to support a strategic shift toward partnering with publishers for future game releases. "This was not a decision we took lightly," Hare concluded. "We are incredibly grateful to the talented individuals affected, many of whom have made lasting contributions to our games and culture. We are doing everything we can to support them through this transition." Outplay develops a number of licensed mobile games, including Gordon Ramsay's Chef Blast, Angry Birds Pop!, and Subway Surfers Blast. Over 2200 developers have lost their jobs in 2025 so far, with cuts and closures at Freejam, Splash Damage, Piranha Games, Jar of Sparks, Ubisoft, ProbablyMonsters, Iron Galaxy, Sumo Group, Liquid Sword, NetEase Games, Toast Interactive, Night School Studio, Striking Distance, Ballistic Moon, Eidos Montréal, PlaySide, AppLovin, Nerial, Reality Labs, and, most recently, there have been multiple cuts at EA, including Respawn, as well as People Can Fly and Jagex.

A Jagex employee has claimed that the "majority" of those affected were from "non-game dev and non-player facing areas."

RuneScape developer Jagex has laid off an undisclosed number of staff from 'non-game development roles, which was confirmed today by the studio.Reported by PCGamer, the layoffs first came to light on the RuneScape subreddit, with users noticing moderators missing all of a sudden. A mod that goes by Hooli replied to the thread mentioning the job cuts. They added that the majority of the layoffs were "from non-game dev and non-player facing areas," adding that the roadmap for RuneSpace: Dragonwilds, which launched into Steam early access two months ago, “won’t change because of these job reductions.”“We’ll continue the great path we've been on with our content,” Hooli added."Changes to operational structure" at JagexAccording to the studio (via a statement sent to PCGamer), the layoffs, presented as “changes to our operational structure,” were part of a strategy to build “the best experiences for players and grow the RuneScape community.” The goals are to “reduce complexity, increase agility, and ensure we are fully focused on the areas that matter most-our games, our players, and our future.”While Jagex declined to disclose the exact number of employees affected, it says the vast majority are within the operations and administrative support teams.Related:“We recognize that any change of this nature is difficult, and we are committed to supporting all impacted employees throughout the transition,” the company addded, although it didn’t share specifics about how it plans to provide support.Jagex reported profit growth for the seventh year in a row at the end of 2022, four years after shutting down RuneScape Classic, ending a 17-year-old run. The studio was then acquired by private equity firms CVC Capital and Haveli Investments in February 2024. A month later, CEO Phil Mansell departed the studio after eight years. CVC Capital advisor and Jagex board member Jon Bellami then took helm of the studio.

Start SlideshowStart SlideshowImage: id Software, id Software, id Software, id Software, Jagex Ltd, Screenshot: Sandfall Interactive / Claire Jackson / Kotaku, Sandfall Interactive / Kotaku, id Software / Kotaku, Bethesda / Brandon Morgan / Kotaku, Ubisoft / KotakuThis week we’ll tell you how to which upgrades to grab early in Doom: The Dark Ages as you strive to become the best Doom Slayer you can be. We’ll also help you master Sciel in Clair Obscur, find the right home for you in Oblivion Remastered, and more.Previous SlideNext SlideList slidesDoom: The Dark Ages’ Demon-Slaughtering Campaign Has A Healthy RuntimeImage: id SoftwareWhether you’re used to ripping through Imps and Hell Knights in previous Doom titles or have found yourself intrigued for the first time by Doom: The Dark Ages’ medieval demon butchering, it’s never been a better time to be a Doom Slayer. This thrilling first-person shooter once again sends you to shoot and pummel your way through hell’s hordes, this time while exploring a more ancient fantasy backdrop and wielding a powerful new shield. - Billy Givens Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesA Beginner’s Guide To Mastering Sciel In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Screenshot: Sandfall Interactive / Claire Jackson / KotakuWhen you reconnect with Sciel in the Gestral Village, she’s been champion at their local arena tournament for a while, and absolutely dominant at that, like a sexy, French Roman Reigns or something. It’s not till you finally get around to using her in your party that you really figure out why. She obviously took it easy on you in your arena fight. If Sciel wanted to, she could turn your ass into mirepoix faster than she puts up her ponytail. - Justin Clark Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesShould You Attack Troubadour In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?Screenshot: Sandfall Interactive / KotakuIn Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there are friendly Nevrons that’ll ask you to take on their request. Completing them often provides useful rewards. You can also attack them after finishing their quests, but we don’t recommend that for reasons we’ll get into a little bit. - George Yang Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesDoom: The Dark Ages: Four Essential Tips For Becoming UnstoppableImage: id SoftwareDoom: The Dark Ages puts players back in the role of the Doom Slayer once more; but things look quite a bit different than they did in previous outings. Serving as a prequel to 2016's Doom, this newest entry in the franchise features a heavy medieval flavor, so you’ll need to master using a shield and flail alongside the usual bevy of deadly guns you’ve come to expect. If you’re diving into the game and want a few tips on how to approach this fresh take on the series, we’ve got you covered below. - Billy Givens Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesYou Need To Smash Up These Creepy Wolf Statues In Doom: The Dark Ages’ ‘Ancestral Forge’ LevelScreenshot: id Software / KotakuAside from a more ambitious narrative scope, Doom: The Dark Ages also introduced semi open-world areas where you can take in the level at your own pace. “Ancestral Forge,” the ninth mission in the game, is the second of these, after “The Siege Part One.” - George Yang Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesGrab These Excellent Upgrades First In Doom: The Dark AgesImage: id SoftwareIf you’re diligent about fully clearing each mission in Doom: The Dark Ages, you’ll eventually have enough gold and rubies to purchase every upgrade in the game to become the ultimate version of the Doom Slayer. In the long run, which upgrade paths you prioritize will be based on which guns and abilities you vibe with the most. But the game’s opening hours throw a lot of options at you with limited upgrade resources, so I figured I’d fill you in on the upgrade paths that I found offered the most value as I acclimated to the game’s pacing and expectations. - Billy Givens Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesDoom: The Dark Ages Makes Changing Skins A Little ConfusingImage: id SoftwareThere are multiple ways to get weapon skins in Doom: The Dark Ages. You can find them scattered throughout levels (indicated by a paintbrush icon), or earn them by completing mission challenges and milestones, both of which you can find by looking through your menus. You can even get some skins for the Doom Slayer, his dragon, and his Atlan (mech) by completing the game on higher difficulties or purchasing the Premium Edition. - Billy Givens Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesHow To Start Living Your Best Fantasy Life In RuneScape DragonwildImage: Jagex LtdRuneScape Dragonwilds wound up becoming a surprise hit seemingly overnight. It’s a far-cry from the original RuneScape, which was a grind heavy MMORPG with way too many skills to count. This is something more, something akin to Valheim or Enshrouded. But even if you have experience in survival/crafting games, this one does things a little differently. After spending an hour with the game, there are a few things you should know before diving into RuneScape Dragonwilds! - Brandon Morgan Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesPut Down Some Roots In Cyrodiil With Your Own House In Oblivion RemasteredScreenshot: Bethesda / Brandon Morgan / KotakuAs you explore the lands of Cyrodiil, you’ll find that waiting in the entrance of a cave or renting a room at the local inn doesn’t suffice for very long. You desire more, a place to call your own, a spot to put down roots in this fantasy land. You need a house in Oblivion Remastered for numerous reasons, and it’s not to entice an Argonian over for a wine and dine evening. Hey, I don’t judge! But a house comes with amenities such as a free bed, a non-respawning container, and upgrades that allow you to keep up with ever-leveling foes. - Brandon Morgan Read MorePrevious SlideNext SlideList slidesHow To Defeat The Mourner In Assassin’s Creed ShadowsScreenshot: Ubisoft / KotakuSame old goddamn story every time. An old crush comes calling saying it’s been a while, we should get lunch, catch up. Also, by the way, I know we haven’t been close in a real long time but it’s been a rough couple of months, will you murder several dozen people in honor of my dead brother the warlord? I’m usually not like this. I just don’t have anyone else to turn to. Tale as old as time. - Justin Clark Read More