adminMetacore layoffs will affect 159 employees in Finland, and the mobile game company is closing its operations in Germany and Sweden. The restructuring follows challenges at the studio behind Merge Mansion and comes as Supercell has announced plans to acquire Metacore.
Image credit: Metacore
Metacore layoffs and studio closures
Metacore confirmed that it has completed its change negotiations and informed employees of the outcome earlier this week. Alongside the 159 job cuts in Finland, the company will close its operations in Germany and Sweden. The announcement marks a significant reduction in the studio’s workforce and geographic footprint.
For employees affected by a restructuring, practical support can matter as much as the announcement itself. Metacore says its package includes severance, the option to keep work devices, extended occupational healthcare and wellbeing services, and measures intended to help people move into new roles.
Why Metacore is restructuring
The company outlined its restructuring plans last month. At the time, it said Merge Mansion had plateaued over the past few years, while recent investments had not led to new game launches. Those factors were cited as part of the reason for the changes.
A plateau in a live game can make it harder for a studio to sustain growth, while new projects typically require time and investment before they are ready to launch. Metacore’s announcement points to difficulties on both fronts. It does not, however, provide specific financial figures or a detailed timetable for the restructuring.
What Supercell’s planned acquisition means
Supercell has also announced that it would acquire Metacore and add Merge Mansion to its portfolio of live games. The announcement introduces a change in ownership alongside the studio’s restructuring, but the information provided does not specify when the acquisition will be completed or how the game’s operations may change afterward.
For players, the acquisition announcement alone does not confirm any immediate changes to Merge Mansion. Until further details are shared, it is useful to distinguish between the confirmed workforce and studio changes and any future plans for the game.
Support for affected employees
Metacore CEO Mika Tammenkoski described the decisions as difficult and acknowledged their impact on employees and the wider game industry. He said the company aims to help affected team members find their next opportunities and believes their skills will be valuable to future employers.
The support measures announced include financial, healthcare and transition assistance. Employees reviewing a transition package can check the terms and eligibility for each measure directly with their employer, as individual arrangements may depend on the details of the package.
What to know about the Metacore layoffs
- Metacore confirmed 159 employee layoffs in Finland.
- The company is closing its operations in Germany and Sweden.
- It cited the performance plateau of Merge Mansion and investments that did not produce new launches as factors behind restructuring.
- Supercell has announced plans to acquire Metacore and add Merge Mansion to its live-game portfolio.
- Metacore says affected employees will receive severance and access to additional support measures.
The Metacore layoffs represent a major restructuring for the studio, while the planned Supercell acquisition adds another change for the company and Merge Mansion. Further details on the acquisition and the game’s future were not included in the announcement.
