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People Can Fly Faces Further Cuts After Cancellation of Gemini and Bifrost Projects

Polish game developer People Can Fly, known for hits like Bulletstorm, Outriders, and Gears of War: Judgment, has announced another major restructuring, resulting in additional workforce reductions following the cancellation of two high-profile projects: Project Gemini and Project Bifrost.

In a heartfelt and somber statement, studio CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski confirmed the halting of both projects, citing a breakdown in publisher collaboration and unsustainable financial conditions.

"Today we've made the extremely difficult decision to halt development on Project Gemini and Project Bifrost," Wojciechowski said. "The relevant disclosures have been filed with the market."

Reasons Behind the Cancellations

• Project Gemini: Canceled due to the publisher’s failure to deliver an updated development agreement covering future milestones, coupled with a lack of communication and commitment from the publishing partner. Internal documentation confirms that Square Enix was involved in Gemini, though the company has not issued a public comment.

• Project Bifrost: An internal initiative originally conceived as a standalone IP, Bifrost was scrapped after a comprehensive financial review revealed that the studio lacked the necessary resources to complete the project successfully.

Wojciechowski emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly.

"This painful situation forces us to restructure the studio and reduce our teams. We profoundly regret this outcome and sincerely thank everyone for their contributions."

A History of Layoffs

This latest round of cuts marks the second major downsizing for People Can Fly in less than a year. In late 2023, the studio terminated 120 employees, primarily due to shifting project priorities and financial pressures.

Despite these setbacks, the studio continues to work on several key partnerships:

• Project Echo – A collaboration with Krafton (developer of Bleach: Brave Souls and Bluehole).
• Project Delta – An upcoming title in development with Sony.
• Gears of War: E-Day – A new entry in the long-running franchise, being developed in partnership with Microsoft.

Additionally, the studio recently released Bulletstorm VR, a VR-enhanced reimagining of the cult classic first-person shooter, now available on Meta Quest and PSVR 2.

Looking Ahead

While the cancellation of Gemini and Bifrost is a significant blow, People Can Fly remains committed to its core values: innovative gameplay, player-driven experiences, and creative risk-taking.

The studio has not confirmed whether any future projects will be greenlit, but it has stated that it will continue to explore new opportunities, particularly in the VR and multiplayer spaces.

As the gaming industry grapples with shifting market dynamics and tighter budgets, People Can Fly’s latest struggles underscore the growing challenges faced by mid-tier developers trying to balance creativity, financial viability, and publisher partnerships.

For fans of the studio’s bold, action-packed style, the road ahead remains uncertain — but not yet closed.

Stay tuned for further updates via People Can Fly’s official channels and industry news sources.