The Deus Ex Tragedy: Eidos Montreal Layoffs and the Ripple Effect of a Canceled Seven-Year Project
Eidos Montreal has recently undergone significant layoffs, affecting numerous employees, including David Anfossi, a veteran who led the studio for 13 years. These widespread staff reductions were a direct consequence of the termination of a long-running project that had been in development for seven years.
According to Insider Gaming, the primary catalyst for these layoffs was the complete cancellation of a project codenamed "Wildlands," which had been actively in development since 2019. The game was envisioned as a third-person action-adventure title. Its plot centered around River, a member of a teenage group skilled in wielding magical staffs to ward off evil spirits and capable of riding mythical creatures. Leaked concept art reportedly depicted a massive moose-like beast named Redheart, intended for rapid traversal across the game world.
"Wildlands," the studio's 11th project, encountered numerous difficulties throughout its development cycle. The game underwent four engine changes, and persistent disagreements over its narrative and budget inflated costs to well over hundreds of millions of dollars. These escalating expenses for "Wildlands" ultimately compelled Eidos Montreal to cancel several other promising projects in previous years, including a highly anticipated new installment in the iconic Deus Ex franchise, which had been slated for release in January 2024.
At the time of its definitive cancellation, "Wildlands" was in its final polishing phase, preparing for a late 2026 release on PC and consoles. Nevertheless, the project was completely shut down by direct order from its publisher, Embracer Group.
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