Keoken Interactive, developer of Deliver Us The Moon and Deliver Us Mars, has laid off nearly its entire staff. The studio’s two founders are the only remaining employees.
Founders Kevin Dettman (CEO) and Paul Dettman (Managing Director) Announced on social media that after the studio failed to secure funding during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, it had “exhausted all of our possible options for publishing, work-for-hire, and co-development.” As a result, the rest of his staff has been let go. GameIndustry.biz confirmed that 13 employees were affected, including 11 full-time and 2 freelance contractors.
Deetmans has called on any studios with open positions to hire their affected staff. The founders plan to stay in business and vow to rebuild, including launching a Kickstarter to crowdfund Deliver Us Home, the sequel to Deliver Us Mars.
It was clear that Keuken was in trouble when the founders Posted a video revealing in March that it had failed to land a publishing deal after spending two years pitching five games to more than 40 publishers. Instead, the founders decided to go public with the projects, one of which was Deliver Us Home and two Deliver Us The Moon spinoffs, including a VR game, to help garner interest.
Keokin once employed 45 staff, but cut the headcount to 20 by March 2024 before laying off another four this month. In one The interview with GameIndustry.bizDettman revealed that he helped keep going without collecting a salary for months.