Sharkmob Cuts Undisclosed Number of Jobs in Major Restructuring

Swedish game developer Sharkmob confirmed on November 12, 2025, that it would implement a "difficult but necessary" restructuring that puts an unknown number of jobs at risk. The company, known for developing battle royale game Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt and mobile title Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, has not disclosed the exact scale of the workforce reduction. This latest round of Sharkmob layoffs reflects broader challenges facing the gaming industry as studios grapple with declining player engagement and tightening development budgets.

Context of the Decision

The restructuring comes as Sharkmob faces mounting pressure from underperforming titles and shifting market dynamics in the competitive gaming landscape. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt, launched in 2022, struggled to maintain a substantial player base despite initial interest in the vampire-themed battle royale concept. The game's concurrent player counts declined significantly throughout 2024 and 2025, forcing the studio to reevaluate its strategic direction.

Industry analysts point to the oversaturation of the battle royale market and increased competition from established franchises as key factors undermining Sharkmob's flagship title. The company's decision to pursue workforce reduction aligns with broader industry trends where studios are consolidating resources around proven intellectual properties rather than experimental new concepts.

The restructuring also reflects the gaming industry's post-pandemic adjustment period. Many studios expanded rapidly during 2020-2022 when gaming revenues surged, but are now implementing cost-cutting measures as growth has normalized and development costs continue rising.

Impact on Operations

While Sharkmob has not specified which departments face cuts, the restructuring likely affects multiple areas of the organization. Development teams working on underperforming projects are typically most vulnerable during such reorganizations. The company's Stockholm and London offices may both experience workforce reduction as the studio streamlines operations.

Quality assurance, community management, and marketing departments often bear significant impact during gaming industry layoffs, particularly when studios shift focus from live service games requiring ongoing support. Given Bloodhunt's declining player base, teams dedicated to content updates and community engagement may face substantial cuts.

The restructuring may also affect Sharkmob's mobile gaming initiatives, as the company evaluates which projects align with its revised strategic priorities. Development resources will likely be concentrated on the most commercially viable projects moving forward.

Company Financial Background

Sharkmob, founded in 2017 by former Massive Entertainment developers, secured significant backing from Tencent's Funcom subsidiary. The studio's financial performance has been closely tied to the success of its Vampire: The Masquerade titles, which have failed to achieve the commercial breakthrough needed to sustain the company's current operational scale.

The company's revenue streams have been primarily dependent on Bloodhunt's monetization through cosmetic items and battle passes. However, declining active user numbers have directly impacted these revenue channels, creating financial pressure that necessitates operational adjustments.

Sharkmob's parent company Funcom has been implementing cost management strategies across its portfolio of studios, suggesting that the restructuring may be part of broader organizational efficiency initiatives rather than solely reflecting Sharkmob's individual performance challenges.

Industry Outlook

The gaming industry has experienced significant workforce reduction throughout 2025, with major publishers and independent studios alike implementing layoffs. Market research indicates that over 15,000 gaming industry jobs were eliminated in the first ten months of 2025, making it one of the most challenging years for gaming employment.

Battle royale games face particular pressure as the market matures and player attention consolidates around established titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone. Newer entrants struggle to capture sustainable market share, forcing developers to reconsider their competitive strategies.

The trend toward live service games has created a winner-take-all dynamic where successful titles dominate player time and spending, leaving limited opportunities for emerging competitors to establish profitable operations.

Conclusion

Sharkmob's restructuring represents the harsh realities facing mid-tier gaming studios in an increasingly competitive market. The company must now focus its remaining resources on projects with clearer paths to commercial success while navigating the challenges of a contracting workforce. The gaming industry's ongoing consolidation suggests that studios like Sharkmob will need to demonstrate exceptional execution and market positioning to thrive in the current environment.