Don't Nod staff accuse management of illegal practices as union warns of insolvency

Employees at Don't Nod, members of the French union Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo, released a statement on October 27, 2026, accusing management of illegal practices and warning of possible insolvency and layoffs, according to IGN.

The union said the studio, developer of the original Life is Strange games, is under a safeguard procedure intended to protect it from insolvency. It said management presented employees with several financial scenarios, all of which include redundancies, with the worst forecasting liquidation of the company through 2026.

According to the statement, nearly all non-managerial jobs have been cut, including all animators, character artists, concept artists, associate producers and most environmental artists, sound designers, level designers, programmers, QA testers, HR staff and developers, plus half of game designers. The union alleged that management is targeting individuals to keep selected people rather than jobs — which it called illegal — and is relying on outsourcing.

The statement also cited six workplace accidents this year and a recent inquiry into a serious and immediate danger. A government agency representing employees is set to rule on November 3, after which management has 21 days to decide on a plan. Employees could receive firing letters on November 25 if the plan is accepted.

Earlier warnings on cash

Auditors warned in a financial report that Don't Nod could run out of cash as early as November 2026. The studio's latest game, Aphelion, was released earlier in 2026 to middling reviews.