Riven developer Cyan Worlds has cut its staff count by half.
In a statement posted to social media, the Washington studio – perhaps best known for the Myst series – said “despite its best efforts”, “industry conditions” had forced it into a “tricky spot [where] the month-to-month realities of game development in 2025” left it with no choice but to lay off half its team.
“Today we would like to share with you some very unfortunate news,” the statement began. “Despite our best efforts to avoid it, Cyan has made the difficult decision to reduce our overall staff size – resulting in the layoff of 12 talented staff members, roughly half the team – effective at the end of March.