Unknown 9: Awakening Developer Reflector Entertainment Faces Layoffs After Game’s Underperformance
The highly anticipated Unknown 9: Awakening by Korean development studio Reflector Entertainment has reportedly failed to meet the company’s sales expectations, leading to significant layoffs and the cancellation of future projects. This development marks a challenging period for the studio, which had envisioned Unknown 9 as the cornerstone of an expansive multimedia universe.
Despite generating substantial buzz prior to its release, Unknown 9: Awakening did not sustain the momentum expected by Reflector Entertainment. According to a recent report by MTN, the game's disappointing performance has prompted the company to halt development on several projects, including Project H and the Horizon MMO.
As part of this strategic shift, Reflector Entertainment has laid off 18% of its workforce, a move confirmed by the company’s official (now deleted) announcement on their website. The layoffs primarily affected departments such as Quality Assurance (QA), Marketing, Art, and Narrative, impacting roles like Narrative and Game Designer Anna Karina Bermudez and Brand Manager Manou Deneuvel, who have publicly shared their job searches on LinkedIn.
Company’s Response and Support for Affected Employees
Reflector Entertainment has stated that the layoffs are part of the studio’s transition into a new development phase. The company emphasized that those affected were not assigned to roles crucial for active projects, allowing them to manage the transition more smoothly. To support the impacted employees, Reflector Entertainment is providing severance packages along with access to medical, emotional, and career planning support.
Despite these measures, the abrupt nature of the layoffs has left many within the gaming community concerned about the future stability of Reflector Entertainment and its ongoing projects.
Cancellation of Future Projects
Herve Hoerdt, Chief Content Officer at Reflector Entertainment, confirmed on LinkedIn that the studio has canceled a new project that was in the conceptualization phase. Hoerdt explained that the decision was made to ensure the studio’s sustainability, stating:
“The cancellation of Unknown 9: Awakening reflects the challenges we faced with our ambitious first project. Moving forward, we are focusing on projects that align more closely with our long-term goals and ensuring that our resources are optimally allocated.”
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The layoffs at Reflector Entertainment contribute to the broader trend of workforce reductions within the gaming industry. As of early 2025, approximately 295 individuals have been laid off across various gaming companies, according to GamingLayoffs.com. These cuts reflect the volatile nature of the industry, where high-risk, high-reward projects can significantly impact company fortunes.
The cancellation of Unknown 9: Awakening not only affects Reflector Entertainment but also signals potential caution for other studios contemplating ambitious projects without guaranteed returns.
The gaming community has expressed mixed reactions to the news. While some lament the loss of potential expansions to the Unknown 9 universe, others view the layoffs as a necessary step for Reflector Entertainment to stabilize and redirect its efforts towards more viable projects.
Industry analysts suggest that Reflector Entertainment’s experience underscores the importance of aligning project scopes with market demands and ensuring robust support systems for development teams.
As Reflector Entertainment navigates this challenging phase, the future of Unknown 9: Awakening and its associated multimedia projects remains uncertain. The studio's ability to adapt and recover will be crucial in determining its long-term success and influence within the gaming landscape.
How do you feel about the cancellation of Unknown 9: Awakening and the resulting layoffs at Reflector Entertainment? Share your thoughts and support for those affected in the comments below!
