Halfbrick cuts 41 jobs in Australia: what we know so far
On March 2, 2026, Halfbrick Studios—the creator of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride—announced a significant downsizing.
- Scale of Reduction: The company is eliminating 41 positions, primarily affecting its Australian workforce.
- Scope: The layoffs include domestic role redundancies and the conclusion of several international engagements.
- Timing: This news follows the December 2025 launch of Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen on mobile platforms.
- Reporting: The announcement was made via LinkedIn and was immediately picked up by major industry news outlets.
Why did Halfbrick lay off 41 employees? “strategic priorities, not performance”
Halfbrick framed the layoffs as a business necessity driven by external market pressures rather than the quality of staff work.
- Strategic Shift: The company stated that changes were driven by organizational and strategic priorities, not individual performance.
- Market Conditions: Halfbrick cited a “challenging period for the games industry” as the primary reason for making difficult choices.
- Decision Process: Leadership emphasized that the move was “not lightly” made and was intended to align the team with long-term objectives.
Halfbrick restructuring explained: roles made redundant and international engagements ended
The restructuring involves a concentration of operations and the termination of external collaborations.
- Domestic Impact: The majority of the 41 affected roles are within the studio’s Australian-based team.
- International Impact: The studio is wrapping up various international engagements, which translates to certain overseas contracts and projects not being renewed.
- Business Focus: The move indicates a strategy to concentrate operations domestically while closing out external deals to retool the studio’s focus.
Halfbrick LinkedIn statement on layoffs: key quotes and takeaways
The official statement released on March 2, 2026, provided context regarding the treatment of departing staff.
- Staff Recognition: Halfbrick noted that the affected individuals made “meaningful contributions” and expressed sincere gratitude for their time at the company.
- Hiring Recommendations: The studio issued a strong recommendation for the departing talent, describing them as “exceptional talent” and encouraging other hiring teams to consider them.
- Transition Care: The company pledged to handle the transition process with “care, respect, and genuine appreciation” for the employees involved.
These quotes show Halfbrick’s focus on organizing strategically while honoring its people. The message makes it clear that the studio considers the cuts a necessary business step, and it is actively encouraging other developers to consider its former staff for open roles.
How the Halfbrick layoffs affect Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride
Image: Jetpack Joyride – one of Halfbrick’s flagship games (screenshot from Jetpack Joyride Racing). The company has not indicated it will discontinue this franchise.
Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride are iconic Halfbrick brands, and supporters wonder how they fare after the cuts. Historically, these franchises have been core to Halfbrick’s operations. In fact, after the 2018 layoffs (which cut about half the staff), the remaining team was said to focus entirely on maintaining Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride. The recent announcement contained no hint that either game will be shelved or neglected. Given that both games still generate revenue and have active player bases, it’s expected that Halfbrick will continue to support and update them. In summary, while staffing is reduced, Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride remain top priorities, and existing content for those games should continue largely unaffected.
Is Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen impacted by the Halfbrick job cuts?
Halfbrick’s recent game Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen does not appear to be delayed by the layoffs. According to Halfbrick and press reports, the PC and console version is still slated to release on May 28, 2026 as planned. (The mobile version of Bluey’s Quest launched in December 2025 on iOS and January 2026 on Android.) The studio explicitly stated that the PC release “has not been impacted” by the staffing changes. In short, the Gold Pen game will roll out to consoles and PC late May without changes, despite the internal cutbacks.
Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen PC and console release date (May 28, 2026)
Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen is confirmed to arrive on PC and consoles on May 28, 2026. This launch date was announced by the publisher in February 2026 and widely reported by media. On that day the game will hit PC (Steam/Epic), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Switch 2. Families and fans can expect the console/PC editions just four months after the game’s initial mobile release. With the layoffs not affecting this schedule, players should see Bluey’s Quest on PC/console in late May as originally planned.
Halfbrick+ subscription service: what changed after the 2023 pivot
In September 2023, Halfbrick transitioned to a subscription-based model called Halfbrick+.
- Core Offering: The service provides ad-free access to the studio’s entire catalog, including classics like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, without in-app purchases.
- Exclusive Content: New games are released exclusively on the platform, with a commitment to adding fresh titles monthly.
- Revenue Strategy: Halfbrick+ has become the studio’s primary revenue engine. While free-to-play versions of games remain on the market, they now function as a “front door” to funnel players into the subscription ecosystem.
Halfbrick signing third-party games to Halfbrick+: what that strategy means
To increase the value of its subscription, Halfbrick began hosting games from external developers in 2024.
- Financial Incentives: The studio established an A$5 million revenue pool to attract third-party titles such as Nimble Quest, Mega Jump, and Warbits+.
- Developer Relations: Halfbrick positions itself as a transparent alternative to Apple Arcade, offering partners game performance data and prompt payouts.
- Curation: By adding quality indie titles that align with its family-friendly style, Halfbrick aims to broaden the appeal of the service beyond its own IP.
How many people work at Halfbrick after the layoffs?
While 41 roles were confirmed as cut, the final headcount remains unverified.
- Speculative Totals: Before the layoffs, the studio reportedly had over 100 employees. Removing 41 staff members suggests a remaining team of approximately 50–60, though Halfbrick has not provided an official post-layoff figure.
Halfbrick layoffs timeline: when the cuts were announced and confirmed
The news of the 2026 layoffs developed over a 72-hour period in early March.
- March 2: Reports emerged from GameDeveloper.com and MobileGamer.biz, and Halfbrick posted its official announcement on LinkedIn.
- March 3-4: Industry outlets like PocketGamer.biz and PC Gamer published follow-up stories confirming the total of 41 roles and noting that the upcoming Bluey PC release remained unaffected.
Halfbrick layoffs compared to past redundancies (2015, 2018)
The 2026 layoffs differ significantly in scale and motivation from previous rounds of cuts.
- 2015/2018: Past reductions focused on internal pivots, such as decentralizing the design department or narrowing focus to core franchises. The 2018 cuts left fewer than 30 people in the Brisbane office.
- 2026: This round is the largest in absolute terms and is explicitly tied to a “challenging period for the games industry” rather than internal realignment. The current cuts are framed as a response to global economic conditions.
Gaming industry layoffs 2026: why studios keep cutting jobs
Halfbrick’s restructuring aligns with a widespread industry trend.
- Global Statistics: A 2026 GDC survey found that 28% of industry professionals had been laid off in the previous two years.
- Operational Shift: Many studios, including giants like Xbox and Ubisoft, are trimming teams to control costs and focus on “mission-critical” roles rather than scale.
Support for impacted Halfbrick staff and future outlook
Halfbrick has taken a proactive stance in helping departing employees find new work.
Strategic Focus: The studio will continue to prioritize its highest-impact projects: supporting its legacy hits and maintaining the monthly release cycle for the Halfbrick+ service.
Outreach: The company and its leadership, including the Halfbrick+ product manager, have offered public recommendations and references for the 41 individuals.
2026 Priorities: Despite the leaner staff, Halfbrick remains committed to its existing roadmap. The Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen console and PC release is still scheduled for May 28, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How many jobs did Halfbrick cut?
Halfbrick confirmed it cut 41 positions in total. This was announced via a LinkedIn post and reported by multiple outlets. The number 41 comes directly from company and press reports. - Why did Halfbrick lay off employees?
The studio said the layoffs were part of strategic restructuring amid a “challenging period” in the games industry. Company spokespeople emphasized the cuts were about “organizational and strategic priorities, not individual performance”. In other words, the decision was framed as a business move, not a reflection of employee shortcomings. - Which roles and projects were affected?
According to Halfbrick’s statement, the redundancies are in Australia, and several international project engagements are being concluded. In practice, this means the affected roles are largely in the Australian office, and some overseas contracts or collaborations will end. The studio did not specify exact job titles, but it implied the cuts are company-wide rather than concentrated in one department. - Will Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride be impacted?
Halfbrick’s flagship games Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride are expected to continue unaffected. After previous staff reductions (in 2018), the remaining team was focused on maintaining those titles, and there’s no indication the games are being shut down. The company made no announcement about discontinuing either franchise. In short, existing content and support for Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride should continue as normal despite the staffing cuts. - Is Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen delayed?
No. Halfbrick explicitly confirmed that the console and PC release of Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen remains on schedule for May 28, 2026. The layoffs will not delay this game. The mobile version (iOS/Android) already launched in late 2025, and the company said the PC/console rollout will proceed as planned. - What is the Halfbrick+ subscription, and what changed after 2023?
Halfbrick+ is the studio’s game subscription service launched in 2023. After the pivot, Halfbrick’s games moved from free-to-play to premium, ad-free releases. The Halfbrick+ app allows subscribers to play all of Halfbrick’s games without ads or in-app purchases. The studio is now focused on delivering new titles through Halfbrick+, releasing games monthly for subscribers. This represents a shift back to “premium” gaming – the studio stated they wanted to return to high-quality, self-contained games instead of free-to-play models. - What does signing third-party games to Halfbrick+ mean?
Halfbrick+ has opened its catalog to outside developers to grow its library. Halfbrick announced it would add well-known mobile titles to the service and set up a A$5 million revenue pool for partner devs. Games like Nimble Quest, Mega Jump, Warbits+, and Steppy Pants are planned to join Halfbrick+. The goal is to make Halfbrick+ more attractive with popular indie games and to foster good relationships with those developers (offering transparency and prompt payments). This strategy is intended to broaden the subscription’s appeal and help Halfbrick gain new users. - How many people remain at Halfbrick?
Halfbrick has not disclosed the post-layoff headcount. We only know 41 roles were cut. The company’s LinkedIn still lists “over 100” employees, which suggests roughly that many before the layoffs. If that number was accurate, about 60 or so would remain, but this is not confirmed. In short, the remaining team size is unknown; the only concrete figure given was the 41 layoffs. - How do these cuts compare to previous layoffs at Halfbrick?
Halfbrick has done major cuts before. In 2015, the studio eliminated its two in-house designers, reallocating design duties across the company. In 2018, Halfbrick cut about 30 jobs (around half its then-60-person staff) to refocus on its biggest games. The 2026 layoffs (41 jobs) are larger in scale, though by then the studio had more employees. Importantly, previous cuts were pitched as efficiency moves or shifts in workflow, while the new cuts are tied to industry-wide challenges and strategic priorities. - What support is Halfbrick offering to laid-off employees?
Halfbrick has publicly encouraged other studios to hire its departing staff, saying it will “strongly recommend any of these individuals to any team that is hiring”. Halfbrick+ product manager Eli Hodapp echoed this, offering to make personal introductions or serve as a reference for the affected employees. While no specific programs (severance or retraining) were announced, the studio’s leadership is actively vouching for the talent and helping connect them to potential new jobs.
Conclusion
Halfbrick’s decision to cut 41 jobs was presented as a difficult but strategic move. By all accounts, the affected employees were praised for their contributions and the focus is now on moving forward. Crucially, the layoffs do not spell the end of Halfbrick’s key products or services: Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride, and Bluey’s Quest will continue, and the Halfbrick+ subscription model remains the studio’s flagship initiative. Halfbrick has conveyed that 2026 will be about delivering on its stated goals with a leaner team: finishing Bluey’s game launch and rolling out new Halfbrick+ titles as promised. The company’s official statements underscore a shift in priorities (“strategic priorities, not performance”) while emphasizing respect for its people. Moving into 2026, Halfbrick’s outlook is one of cautious optimism – it intends to focus on its core franchises and subscription service, and it has urged the broader gaming community to support the skilled developers who are now looking for their next opportunity.
Sources and Citation
- Game Developer — “Halfbrick Studios is cutting jobs in Australia” (March 2, 2026).
- PC Gamer — “Fruit Ninja studio Halfbrick hit with layoffs: ‘we are navigating a challenging period for the games industry’” (page shows last updated March 3, 2026, and includes a March 4 update note).
- PocketGamer.biz — “Halfbrick confirms layoffs as part of internal restructuring amid wider industry pressures” (March 3, 2026).
- MobileGamer.biz — “41 layoffs at Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride maker Halfbrick” (March 2, 2026).
- ScreenHub — “Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen launches for consoles in May” (February 20, 2026).
- Game Developer — “Report: Fruit Ninja creator Halfbrick cuts workforce by 50 percent” (March 13, 2018).
- Game Developer — “Halfbrick lays off game designers, refocuses design into teams” (September 14, 2015).
- MobileGamer.biz — “Fruit Ninja maker Halfbrick is going all-in on subscriptions” (September 26, 2023).
- MobileGamer.biz — “Halfbrick+ wants to be the opposite of Apple Arcade” (August 27, 2024).
- LinkedIn — Halfbrick company page; March 2026 layoffs statement post.
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