Funcom Restructures, CEO Rui Casais to Exit as Studio Focuses on Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles
The Norwegian studio says the reorganisation starts now and will bring layoffs; Chief Product Officer Scott Junior will take over as CEO when it concludes.
Funcom has announced a restructuring process that will result in layoffs and the departure of CEO Rui Casais, with the studio shifting its focus to supporting its existing survival RPGs, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. The company did not disclose how many employees will be affected.
Casais will leave once the reorganisation is complete. Scott Junior, Funcom's Chief Product Officer and Executive Producer on Dune: Awakening, will succeed him as CEO.
According to pcgamer.com, Funcom said the restructuring begins now and that further details will follow after it concludes.
The pivot to support work follows a busy stretch for both titles. Dune: Awakening released in June last year and sold a million copies in two weeks, making it Funcom's fastest-selling game, though player counts dropped substantially afterwards and its PvP elements and faction-based endgame drew a mixed response from the community. Last month the studio overhauled the game to move away from its MMO elements, adding solo play and PvE-exclusive modes.
Conan Exiles, meanwhile, received a new engine, a major paid expansion and an enhanced endowment slider this year. Funcom also carried out a round of layoffs in October last year. In a conversation with GamesIndustry last month, Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos said the studio is not ready to start a new game.
Quick answers
Who will be Funcom's new CEO?
Scott Junior, currently Funcom's Chief Product Officer and Executive Producer on Dune: Awakening, will succeed Rui Casais once the reorganisation is complete.
How many jobs will Funcom cut?
Funcom did not share the number of employees affected by the layoffs.
Which games will Funcom focus on?
The studio said it will focus on supporting its existing survival RPGs, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles.