Highlights

• Layoffs at Very Very Spaceship impacted producers, recruiters, and character artists, leaving the exact number affected unknown.
• Very Very Spaceship recently worked on the controversial Pokemon GO Avatars.
• The studio is also believed to be working on a game of its own.

Seattle-based Pokemon GO support studio Very Very Spaceship was hit with layoffs, shortly after developing the controversial avatars for the game's Rediscover GO update. Although the Pokemon GO update aimed to improve features and visuals in the game, many players in the community were upset with the direction that was taken with the revamped avatars.

The lasting appeal of the Pokemon franchise means Pokemon GO is quite active in its eighth year of operations, with new events and Pokemon to discover on a regular basis. Pokemon GO developer Niantic is hard at work releasing new updates for Pokemon GO this year, which includes the Rediscover GO series of updates. The Rediscover GO campaign implemented new visual updates, improved avatar features, in-game map improvements, and much more to bring a fresh experience to returning players. However, fans were not happy with the appearance of the revamped Pokemon GO avatars following the update's release in April.

Reported by Game Developer, various Pokemon GO developers at Very Very Spaceship were laid off at the beginning of May, including employees that have been at the company for the past three-to-five years. The roles that were affected by the round of layoffs include producers, recruiters, and character artists. Some of the former employees, including game producer Matt Swanson and HR manager Sara Carmen, shared the news of their departure on LinkedIn. Senior 3D character artist Kelsey Martin was also laid off after spending four years at the company and helping lead development of the new Pokemon GO avatar system.

Pokemon GO Support Studio Very Very Spaceship Hit With Layoffs

• Layoffs began on May 1.
• Positions affected by the layoffs include
  • Producers
  • Recruiters and HR staff
  • Artists for in-game models, characters, etc.

The exact number of employees affected by the layoffs at Very Very Spaceship and the exact cause of the layoffs are currently unknown. Currently, Very Very Spaceship supports the development of Pokemon GO by working on "tentpole features," including the game's avatars. While assisting Niantic, the studio is also working on its own original game. Since the true extent of the layoffs is unclear, it's unknown whether it affects the development of the new title and relations with Niantic for Pokemon GO.

The Rediscover Kanto event is about to end on May 7, and Pokemon GO will begin to shift its focus from the Rediscover GO campaign to Pokemon GO Fest 2024 after the "Rediscover Your Reality" update arrives. This year's Pokemon GO Fest event will begin on May 30 in Sendai and come to Madrid and New York City in June and July respectively. A global Pokemon GO Fest event will also be held in July, allowing players around the world to reap valuable benefits and rewards.