Summary
The multimedia company that developedTales of Kenzera: Zauhas put its entire gaming staff on notice for redundancy due to funding problems. Despite being praised by critics,Tales of Kenzera: Zaudid not perform well financially, and it seems that developer’s jobs may be in jeopardy due to the lack of funding for the studio’s next project.
Developed by Surgent Studios,Tales of Kenzera: Zauwas released in early 2024. A Metroidvania platformer, the game follows the adventures of Zau as he tries to revive his father, with the title featuring a deep and emotional story, fast-paced action, and inspiration from African mythology. Unfortunately, despite earning positive reviews with an average of 76 on OpenCritic, the game did not sell very well, andSurgent Studios laid off over a dozen employeesin July.
Now, Surgent Studios’ financial situation does not seem to be improving, as the company recently posted a message on social media claiming that its gaming division’s work is being put on hiatus. According to the studio, the entire team has also been put on notice for redundancy. The studio was working on a “bold new project,” which is said to be “darker, edgier, and more visceral” thanTales of Kenzera: Zau, but the company currently requires funding to continue. This is certainly sad news, asTales of Kenzera: Zauwas one ofthe best Metroidvania gamesto come out in 2024.
Surgent Studios' Employees on Notice for Redundancy
At the moment, almost nothing is known about Surgent Studios’ next game. Considering the developer’s experience with Metroidvania games, it’s possible that its next title, if ever funded and finished, could be in the same genre. However, this announcement indicates that it will feature a big change of tone when compared toTales of Kenzera: Zau’s more heartfelt narrative.
Unfortunately, 2023 and 2024 have been tough years for the gaming industry due to continued layoffs plaguing multiple companies. In February,Embracer Group laid off almost 8,000 employees, while Unity Technologies laid off 2,900 people from its staff and Microsoft let 2,880 people go. The situation has impacted many major companies, including Electronic Arts, Sony, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Riot Games, Sega, Ubisoft, and others. The issue does not seem to be slowing to a halt just yet, also becoming a big problem for smaller studios. Hopefully, Surgent Studios will get the necessary funding for its next game, but it’s currently impossible to say when the current crisis in the gaming industry will end.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
WHERE TO PLAY
A grieving boy begins to read a Bantu tale written by his late father. Adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of death to bring his Baba back from darkness. With your cosmic powers and untried courage, you advance into unknown mythological lands. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. Wield powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat and become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Discover a rich universe with untold lore of chaos & order and journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with colour and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.
