FuturLab, the studio behind the popular game PowerWash Simulator, has undergone layoffs, with seven developers being let go following the cancellation of a new project. According to reports, the unannounced game was in its pre-production phase and, despite not involving power washing, was projected to be unprofitable, leading to its termination.
Sources familiar with the situation claim that FuturLab took steps to mitigate the perceived impact of the layoffs on both those departing and those remaining. Direct managers and team leads were reportedly kept uninformed about the specific individuals being let go to avoid imparting guilt. Other employees were allegedly shielded from the news to prevent stress about their own job security.
Further details suggest that when the layoffs were announced to the wider company, employees were instructed to avoid the word "redundancy" when referring to the situation. Instead, the term "the leavers" was reportedly mandated for use when discussing the departed staff.
These actions appear to be an attempt to soften the blow in an industry where layoffs have become increasingly scrutinized. As public and developer awareness grows that layoffs are not always indicative of a company's financial health, studios face greater criticism, particularly when associated with successful and well-regarded titles like PowerWash Simulator. The industry also continues to grapple with the psychological toll on remaining employees concerned about future stability in a notoriously volatile sector. FuturLab's reported communication strategy seems to be a response to these industry-wide concerns.