Massive Layoffs Crush Gas Powered Games Just Days After Launch Of $1.1 Million Kickstarter

We’ve heard from two sources that there have been big layoffs at Gas Powered Games, the company that just launched a Kickstarter for $1.1 million to make their next game, Wildman.

One source said these layoffs may be connected to the Kickstarter’s current performance, which you could argue has been disappointing, based on their goal. Right now, it has been up for four days and earned around $173,000.

One source suggested that the company may be shutting down entirely.

UPDATE: We’ve heard from two more sources saying that almost everyone at the company has been laid off. According to one of these sources, the company has let go of everyone except CEO Chris Taylor and one or two people.

Located in Redmond, Washington, Gas Powered Games is the developer behind games like Dungeon Siege and Supreme Commander. It’s run by Chris Taylor, who created the popular real-time strategy game Total Annihilation.

We’ve reached out to both Taylor and a PR representative for the company’s Kickstarter project. We’ll update should we hear back.

UPDATE 2: Chris Taylor has confirmed the layoffs. He sent over the following e-mail:

Hey Jason,

We do have a layoff, and we’ll be updating our Kickstarter as well with details as well very soon. I’m way behind, so many wonderful people to talk to and share stories with, so it just takes time. It’s actually been a fairly positive experience, because I run a very open company and everyone knows what’s going on.

Thanks!
Chris

UPDATE 3: Taylor has offered some further explanation to Gamasutra, saying, “The studio is still operating, but we had to slim WAY down to conserve cash reserves.”

Originally written and published by Jason Schreier at Kotaku. Click here to read the original story.