(Photo : Phoenix Labs / Screenshot taken from Steam)
The future of "Dauntless," a previously touted title that is seen as a "Monster Hunter" clone, is looking bleak following the controversial "Awakening" update and layoffs at developer Phoenix Labs.
The game was previously praised as an amazing free-to-play alternative to Capcom's massive franchise but now serves as a cautionary tale for other studios. When it was originally launched in 2019, players found it had a very interesting concept.
The Future of Dauntless
It took the popular "Monster Hunter" formula and streamlined many of the series' systems while featuring an easier-to-look-at the visual style. It also focused its monetization on cosmetics, which did not impact the gameplay at all.
All of these factors combined made "Dauntless" much more accessible and was considered a casual version of "Monster Hunter." Years after it came out, the game thrived and, at some point, had roughly 15 million players signing up.
These players were all kept engaged with various cool ideas and updates, such as "Escalation," which gave people a chance to run a gauntlet that featured different behemoths that could be tackled in cooperative play, according to Windows Central.
Read Also: 'Dauntless' Patch 1.8.3 Update Guide: New Behemoth, In-Game Refreshes, Changes, Fixes, and More
Additionally, the weapon prestige system in "Dauntless" gave players a chance to go beyond improving weapons that they enjoyed using. For about five years since its open beta release, the game enjoyed consistently positive feedback from the community.
However, the situation changed in 2024 when developer Phoenix Labs launched the "Awakening" update on Dec. 5, 2024. The patch introduced a cool new behemoth and a new island to explore.
Controversial Update and Studio Layoffs
On the other hand, it also removed a lot of the features that players enjoyed, such as some crafting options, lanterns, and others. Additionally, Phoenix Labs laid off the majority of the studio as part of "unfortunate but necessary changes to our operations," PCGamer said.
The developer said that it recognizes and deeply appreciates the contributions of every single individual who has been impacted by the latest round of layoffs. The company said it would reveal more details about the situation in the coming weeks and what will happen to "Dauntless" and "Fae Farm."
It noted that right now, the studio's focus is on supporting the individuals who were affected by the transition. It also encouraged its industry peers to reach out to the employees if they have any career opportunities.
The layoffs are part of an industry-wide plague that has been ongoing for the better part of two years following the end of the pandemic boom. Other studios, such as Starbreeze Studios and Rocksteady, also laid off parts of their teams, according to 80lv.
Related Article: 'Dauntless' Update Causes Players To Review Bomb Game Over New Mechanics, Monetization
