The French studio Kylotonn, owned by Nacon, may face massive staff reductions. This was announced by the Kylotonn Union through the STJV organization, which represents the interests of gaming industry workers in France.
According to the union, the studio's management planned to hold a meeting on May 6, where employees were to be informed of "mass layoffs." However, the meeting was unexpectedly postponed to May 13. The Kylotonn Union believes that the decision is related to the desire to avoid negative media coverage around the annual NACON Connect presentation, which takes place on May 7.
Union representatives stated that the current situation was a consequence of "years of warnings" about the company's financial problems, a lack of dialogue with employees and their representatives, and "chaotic production management." In addition, the statement mentions difficult working conditions, which, according to employees, negatively affected their health. The union also referred to a number of publications from 2023–2026 that had already raised questions about violations of employee rights within the studio.
Against this background, the Kylotonn Union announced the start of an indefinite strike. It began today and will last at least until May 11 or until the employees' demands are met.
Among the main demands of the union:
- Cancellation of all layoffs until a clear plan for the company's future is in place
- Resumption of work on an unannounced project and its presentation to other publishers and investors
- Transfer of all employees to Engineer & Professionals status to expand their rights and protection
- Review of contractual relations between Kylotonn and NACON to deprive the publisher of "the right to dispose of employees' lives and work"