Kaylyn Hohn 
Trion Worlds, video game developer and publisher of games like Defiance, Trove, and Rift, laid off a majority of their staff, following a purchase of the company.
After rumors that the studio was being acquired by Gamigo, a Germany-based publisher of free-to-play online MMORPGs and mobile games, Trion Worlds confirmed in a statement on October 22 that “there had been a transaction involving Trion Worlds and its games”, resulting in the staff layoffs.
“While many of the names and faces you’ve come to know in our studios will remain on through this transition, others will not be making the journey. To those who are leaving us, we are forever grateful for your incredible work and contributions over the years.” the Rift publisher said in a statement on the game’s forums.
While official numbers have not been revealed, a report by Gamasutra says that only 50 employees remain with Trion Worlds, out of the 200 people that staffed the company, according to a source close to Gamasutra. Employees at both the Redwood City, California and Austin, Texas offices were included in the layoffs, and roughly 25 employees remain at each studio.
Trion Worlds isn’t the first video game company to layoff a massive amount of their employees, especially over the last two months. At the end of September, it was reported that Telltale Games studio was closing, resulting in almost 250 layoffs. There were also considerable staff reductions at Carbine, Capcom Vancouver, and Big Fish Games, Gamespot reports.
Trion Worlds was founded in 2006 by two former employees of NCSoft. Rift, Defiance, ArcheAge, Trove, and Atlas Reactor are among the company’s ongoing lineup of games, and they will continue on, even with the sale of Trion. Time will tell what direction these games will take under the new leadership.
