Daybreak Cuts Staff As H1Z1 Goes Free To Play

The developers of the game H1Z1, which used to be King of the Kill, Daybreak Game Company is reducing the number of people on its staff. While sales for the title have not been terrible when it was still a premium game, it seems the decision to go free to play several months ago for the PC version has come with repercussions. Support for H1Z1 will reportedly continue despite the staff reduction.

In a statement to PC Gamer, Daybreak confirmed the reports of the layoffs, although it didn’t mention the exact number of people who have been let go. This news also comes amid developments in the studio with regards to a potential entry in eSports.

“Daybreak confirms we are realigning our workforce to better position our company for the future. Because of this, we have had to make an extremely difficult decision to part ways with some of our employees across various disciplines at the studio. We are doing everything we can to take care of each affected individual by providing them appropriate transition assistance," the statement reads.

"Daybreak remains focused on publishing and developing large-scale online games and will continue to service our existing and long-standing games and franchises."

Among those who have confirmed that they are leaving Daybreak includes Laura Naviaux Sturr, the studio’s former chief publishing officer. She announced her departure via Twitter, where she adds the caption that she is now moving on.

As Gamasutra notes, other video game developers have since expressed their support and encouragement via social media to the people who have just lost their jobs. With Daybreak expressing ambitions to enter the eSports sphere and become a major player in the budding industry, it’s going to need to focus its efforts in the right place. Perhaps this is the reason for the layoffs.