Icarus Studios Restructures, Sees Layoffs

North Carolina-based developer Icarus Studios, best known for recently launched subscription-based MMORPG Fallen Earth, announced layoffs and restructuring of its company resources, effective immediately. As part of its reorganization, Icarus and Fallen Earth, LLC, which co-developed Fallen Earth and shares its office with the company, will support their "core members of staff" for continuing customer service and the development of the PC MMORPG, as well as other projects. Founded in 2001, Icarus employed around 110 workers prior to its restructuring; Fallen Earth, LLC had some 55 employees. As of today, Icarus has 28 core staff members plus its customer support team and GMs, according to a community representative. The two companies launched Fallen Earth, which was built on Icarus's own engine, last September. Icarus's restructuring comes just a few weeks after the post-apocalyptic MMO's lead game designer Lee Hammock left the company to join Gargantuan Studios, developer of Marvel Universe Online, as that team's story designer. Not long afterward, Icarus promoted four of its veterans to lead positions, according to a report from Massively. Wes Platt now serves as director of Content Development, Marie Croall is the new senior game designer, Greg Roth is working as senior systems designer, and Josh Peery takes on the role of content team lead. [Update: Worlds in Motion has learned that John Peery, despite his recent promotion, was one of the employees laid off by Icarus.] Icarus says its team leads will continue production and development on Fallen Earth Blood Sports Patch 1.4, which will release for the MMORPG on May 7th. Fallen Earth's community support and scheduled events, such as Slots Night, will also continue. "While this is a challenging step for us," says Icarus Studios CEO James Hettinger, "the steps were taken to maintain the growth, continued development and profitability of Fallen Earth."