Deliver Us Mars’ Studio Faces Layoffs Amidst Struggles To Secure Projects

In a recent development, KeokeN Studio, known for their acclaimed titles Deliver Us Mars and Deliver Us the Moon, has made the difficult decision to lay off a portion of its workforce.

The announcement came directly from CEO Koen Deetman and Managing Director Paul Deetman, who disclosed the studio’s challenges in a statement released on X. According to the statement, the Netherlands-based company found itself with no alternative but to downsize after exploring all avenues to complete ongoing projects or secure new ones.

Heartbroken, we've had to lay off our team at KeokeN because of nothing substantial materializing directly after our visit to GDC. We’ve unfortunately exhausted all our possible options for publishing, work for hire, and co-development.

It is our utmost priority to make sure our… pic.twitter.com/3QHzJzgCfl

— KeokeN Interactive? (@KeokeN) April 30, 2024

This move follows a series of setbacks for KeokeN Studio. In February, the company had to reduce its core team by four members, a decision made after its founders endured pay cuts and salary freezes for several months. Despite their efforts, which included pitching five games to 40 publishers in over 200 meetings, the studio was unable to secure significant opportunities.

We need your help, and we need it fast.
Over the past 2 years, we've pitched 5 games to 40 publishers in over 200 pitch meetings. We haven't been able to land a deal – yet.
Looking back on the past 10 years of KeokeN history, we realized we haven't yet called upon our greatest… pic.twitter.com/Dqtky9TFeg

— KeokeN Interactive? (@KeokeN) March 13, 2024

Expressing their regret over the layoffs, the founders emphasized their commitment to supporting the affected team members in finding new employment opportunities. They invited inquiries for various roles within the industry and pledged to rebuild KeokeN Studio from the ground up.

In a glimmer of hope for the studio, it was announced last week that Deliver Us the Moon, one of KeokeN’s flagship titles, is slated for release on Nintendo Switch in the near future.

Furthermore, the founders hinted at an upcoming Kickstarter campaign for their highly anticipated project, Deliver Us Home. They described it as a collaborative effort with the gaming community, signalling their determination to persevere despite the current challenges.

As KeokeN Studio navigates these turbulent times, the gaming community eagerly awaits further updates on the studio’s future endeavours.