Relic Entertainment Layoffs: 41 positions axed following Sega split

What’s happening at Relic?

Relic Entertainment (Relic) has eliminated approximately 41 jobs after splitting from Sega and becoming an independent company.

“Letting people go was not an easy decision, and was made solely with the goal of providing Relic the best possible chance to survive in an increasingly volatile industry,” the Vancouver-based video game developer said in a recent post on LinkedIn.

“It does not in any way reflect the expertise, passion, or character of any of the impacted employees. We are working closely with those affected providing severance packages, extended benefits, and outplacement support options.”

Aryon Billings, a senior game producer who was let go, claimed in a separate post that it wasn’t a trimming of the fat, but a “cut to the bone.”

SEE ALSO
• Relic Entertainment laying off 121 employees, part of restructuring
• Ubisoft cutting 45 positions to enhance ‘collective efficiency’
• Microsoft eliminating 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox jobs

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if any Canadian employees are affected by the latest round of layoffs at Relic.

According to the company’s LinkedIn page, it has more than 170 workers in the country.

Termination agreements for Relic employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Relic are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

People working “on contract” or as a contractor may also be owed severance pay — given that many employees in Canada are often misclassified as independent contractors.

Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for video game sector staff
• Severance packages during mass layoffs

Major tech layoffs continue

The job cuts at Relic come amid a flurry of tech sector layoffs in 2024.

Big names, including Amazon, Intel, Lightspeed, Dell, IBM, Cisco, Mozilla, Instacart, BlackBerry, Grammarly, DocuSign, Snap, Zoom, Okta, and PayPal, have also pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• Wayfair cutting 1,650 jobs, Ontarians affected
• Boundless Learning laying off 15% across company: Reports
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.