Bithell Games has laid off most of its full-time employees after failing to secure funding for a new large-scale project, studio founder Mike Bithell confirmed. Eleven roles have been affected, though the studio says its existing games will remain available and supported.
In a statement shared on Bluesky, Bithell said the decision followed challenges in finding investment partners ahead of the launch of its latest title, Tron: Catalyst. He noted that the funding difficulties mirror issues faced by many game studios in 2024 and 2025.
“We’ve worked with affected staff to ease their departures through severance packages,” Bithell said, adding praise for the team’s talent and contributions.
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Bithell Games Ongoing projects remain unaffected
Despite the cuts, Bithell confirmed the layoffs will not impact the studio’s self-published titles, which include Thomas Was Alone, Tron: Identity, John Wick Hex, and The Banished Vault. Support for these games will continue as planned.
Among those affected is senior animator Rich Stubbs, who said working at Bithell Games had been a highlight of his career. “Being the sole animator on a Disney project is a badge of honour I will wear with pride,” Stubbs wrote on LinkedIn, expressing gratitude to the team.
Bithell Games: A decade of indie success
Founded in 2013 after the breakout success of Thomas Was Alone, Bithell Games built a reputation for story-driven indie titles. The layoffs mark one of the most significant setbacks in the studio’s history.
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FAQs
Q1. Why did Bithell Games lay off staff?
The studio was unable to secure funding for a new large-scale project, leading to 11 redundancies.
Q2. Which games will be affected by the layoffs?
Bithell confirmed the layoffs will not affect the availability or support of its existing self-published titles.
Q3. How many people lost their jobs?
Eleven full-time employees were made redundant.
Q4. Who is Mike Bithell?
Mike Bithell is the founder of Bithell Games, known for indie hits like Thomas Was Alone and John Wick Hex.
Q5. What is Bithell Games best known for?
The studio is known for narrative-driven titles such as Thomas Was Alone, Tron: Identity, John Wick Hex, and The Banished Vault.
