The multimedia company that developed Tales of Kenzera: Zau has put its entire gaming staff on notice for redundancy due to funding problems. Despite being praised by critics, Tales of Kenzera: Zau did not perform well financially, and it seems that developer’s jobs may be in jeopardy due to the lack of funding for the studio’s next project.Developed by Surgent Studios, Tales of Kenzera: Zau was released in early 2024. A Metroidvania platformer, the game follows the adventures of Zau as he tries to revive his father, with the title featuring a deep and emotional story, fast-paced action, and inspiration from African mythology. Unfortunately, despite earning positive reviews with an average of 76 on OpenCritic, the game did not sell very well, and Surgent Studios laid off over a dozen employees in July. Related Tales of Kenzera: Zau – How To Beat All Great Spirit Bosses If you’re having trouble with any of the Great Spirit Bosses in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, this guide has you covered! Now, Surgent Studios’ financial situation does not seem to be improving, as the company recently posted a message on social media claiming that its gaming division’s work is being put on hiatus. According to the studio, the entire team has also been put on notice for redundancy. The studio was working on a “bold new project,” which is said to be “darker, edgier, and more visceral” than Tales of Kenzera: Zau, but the company currently requires funding to continue. This is certainly sad news, as Tales of Kenzera: Zau was one of the best Metroidvania games to come out in 2024. Surgent Studios' Employees on Notice for Redundancy At the moment, almost nothing is known about Surgent Studios’ next game. Considering the developer’s experience with Metroidvania games, it’s possible that its next title, if ever funded and finished, could be in the same genre. However, this announcement indicates that it will feature a big change of tone when compared to Tales of Kenzera: Zau’s more heartfelt narrative. Close Unfortunately, 2023 and 2024 have been tough years for the gaming industry due to continued layoffs plaguing multiple companies. In February, Embracer Group laid off almost 8,000 employees, while Unity Technologies laid off 2,900 people from its staff and Microsoft let 2,880 people go. The situation has impacted many major companies, including Electronic Arts, Sony, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Riot Games, Sega, Ubisoft, and others. The issue does not seem to be slowing to a halt just yet, also becoming a big problem for smaller studios. Hopefully, Surgent Studios will get the necessary funding for its next game, but it’s currently impossible to say when the current crisis in the gaming industry will end.