Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam announces layoffs

The studio did not specify the amount of employees affected.

MercurySteam, the studio behind Metroid Dread and multiple Castlevania games, has confirmed that it is conducting layoffs. This comes after the 2025 release of the studio’s latest game, Blades of Fire.

MercurySteam announced the layoffs in a LinkedIn post. “There is no easy way to share this kind of news, but today we must communicate that MercurySteam has initiated a workforce adjustment process,” the post reads. “While this is something common within the production cycles of our industry, it is nonetheless a difficult and painful situation.”

MercurySteam most notably developed 2021’s Metroid Dread, which was Shacknews’ runner-up to Game of the Year. The studio also co-developed Metroid: Samus Returns and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.

As part of the announcement, MercurySteam is urging any company looking to hire new developers to email them.

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