Background of the Layoffs: Keoken Interactive, the studio behind the games “Deliver Us The Moon” and “Deliver Us Mars,” faced serious financial challenges. The studio attempted to secure funding and publishing partnerships at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in 2024, but failed to achieve substantial results. This inability to find new projects or publishing deals led to the difficult decision to lay off almost the entire team.
Immediate Consequences: Post-GDC, the critical situation left the studio with no choice but to lay off its staff, retaining only the two founders, Koen and Paul Deetman. This drastic measure reflects the studio’s desperate circumstances, as they had exhausted all options for publishing, contract work, and co-development.
Efforts to Assist Laid-Off Employees: Despite the layoffs, the Deetmans are actively trying to help their former employees find new opportunities. They have called on the community and the video game industry to find roles for their highly qualified team, emphasizing their commitment to the future of their staff even in these difficult times.
Future Plans and Commitment to the Community: Looking to the future, Keoken Interactive is not giving up. The founders plan to rebuild the studio “brick by brick,” starting with a new Kickstarter campaign for their next project, “Deliver Us Home.” This initiative signals hope and resilience, with the aim of continuing its legacy in the world of video games despite the current setbacks. The new project, and the campaign to fund it, is a crucial step for Keoken to regain stability and continue creating engaging games (TechRaptor).
For more detailed information and updates on the status of Keoken Interactive and its future projects, you can follow the developments directly through gaming news platforms such as GamesIndustry.biz and TechRaptor.
