Developer of Hunting Grounds Announces Workforce Reductions

IllFonic, well-known for bringing us Predator: Hunting Grounds, recently revealed that they’re having to let go of some team members due to the challenging times in the gaming industry. Over the past months, major players like Ubisoft, NetherRealm Studios, and Take-Two Interactive have faced similar predicaments in 2024. Now, IllFonic, a name synonymous with solid multiplayer and asymmetrical games, joins the list.

Founded back in 2007 by Charles Brungardt, Kedhrin Gonzales, and Raphael Saadiq, IllFonic operates out of Colorado, Washington, and Texas. The studio gained fame in the horror gaming community with Friday the 13th: The Game, although its servers recently shutting down on October 31 left fans eager for a worthy successor featuring the infamous Jason Voorhees.

On their Twitter, IllFonic’s CEO and Co-founder, Charles Brungardt, addressed the layoffs, acknowledging how “the state of the industry has impacted us.” It seems the decision was part of a strategy to realign their resources more effectively. Bungie, another well-known developer, made a similar call earlier this year, laying off 200 employees to focus on its future direction. Brungardt shared how deeply the decision saddened him but encouraged other companies to tap into the expertise of those affected. Although he didn’t specify how many roles were cut, we know that Senior Social Media and Community Manager Mike Robles is among those impacted.

This year has been tough on the gaming industry, with many companies, including Riot Games, trimming their League of Legends team as well. Yet, the outpouring of support on social media for IllFonic has been heartening. Fans and industry pros alike have thanked the team for their work, especially on titles like Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. Robles, in his personal tweet, mentioned just how surprising these layoffs were to the employees.

Since they launched Nexuiz in 2012, IllFonic has rolled out seven games, including Dead Alliance and Arcadegeddon. They’ve also contributed to projects like Armored Warfare, Star Citizen, and Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric. One of their latest ventures, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, introduced new Halloween-themed content, including Klowntalities and mini-games – yet another example of IllFonic’s creative legacy.