Brighton-based game developer FuturLab has made seven employees redundant following the cancellation of a project that was not connected to its hit title PowerWash Simulator. The studio, best known for the satisfying cleaning game that became a surprise success on console and PC, confirmed the cuts after winding down work on the unnamed project.
7
Jobs lost at FuturLab
The cancellation suggests FuturLab had been investing in diversifying its portfolio beyond PowerWash Simulator, a strategy that has now been reversed. The seven roles lost represent a meaningful portion of what is understood to be a relatively small studio headcount, making the impact proportionally significant.
No further detail has been published about what the cancelled project involved, what roles were affected, or whether any redundancy consultation process is ongoing. FuturLab has not publicly commented on the timeline or terms offered to those leaving the business.
Why this matters if you're facing redundancy
If you are one of the seven people affected at FuturLab, it is worth understanding that even at a small studio, your employer still has legal obligations. Where 20 or more redundancies are proposed at one establishment, a formal 45-day collective consultation period is required by law. With only seven roles cut here, that threshold is not met, but your employer still owes you individual consultation, a fair process, and statutory redundancy pay if you have at least two years of service.
It is also worth asking whether the cancellation of the project affects your contractual position, particularly if your role was tied to that specific work. Game industry roles can involve project-specific contracts or fixed terms, so check your contract carefully and consider speaking to ACAS or an employment solicitor if anything feels unclear. Your redundancy payment, notice period entitlements, and any garden leave arrangements are all worth pinning down in writing before you sign anything.
Collective consultation rules may not apply at this size, but you're still entitled to a fair individual process. These thresholds apply per establishment, so the exact position depends on how the cuts are spread across sites.
FairEnough is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Always seek independent legal advice before signing any documents. Information shown is for general guidance based on UK statutory entitlements.
