Behaviour Interactive Faces Layoffs Amid Declining Demand for Mobile Projects

Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind the popular horror survival game Dead by Daylight, has recently confirmed that it is parting ways with a number of employees. This decision comes as a response to the declining demand for external development projects, particularly in the mobile and casual gaming sectors.

A representative from Behaviour Interactive explained that the company has traditionally relied on external partnerships for a portion of its business. However, recent months have shown a noticeable drop in interest for mobile and casual game development collaborations. As they wrap up ongoing projects and see no immediate prospects for similar opportunities, the studio has made the tough call to let go of some staff members.

Founded back in 1992, Behaviour Interactive has built a reputation not only for Dead by Daylight but also for its involvement in other notable titles, like co-developing Fallout Shelter with Bethesda and creating Assassin’s Creed Rebellion for Ubisoft. Despite the studio’s impressive portfolio, it has faced challenges over the past couple of years.

Earlier this year, Behaviour had already laid off 40 employees in January and saw another 95 positions cut less than six months later. The studio had previously grown its workforce from 575 to 1,300 employees within five years, spurred by the gaming boom during the pandemic when people sought entertainment while staying at home.

However, as life returned to normal post-pandemic, that explosive growth became unsustainable, leading to significant layoffs across the industry. While the decline in demand is a factor, it raises questions about whether the management could have anticipated these shifts in the gaming landscape, as many companies struggled to adapt.

For now, Behaviour Interactive expresses gratitude for the hard work and contributions of its affected employees, who have been instrumental in shaping the studio’s journey and supporting its partners over the years.