• Gaming software developer Unity is preparing to cut the jobs of as many as 1 800 employees.
• The move is still in the offing, but was discovered in a set of US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents.
• The move comes after Unity walked back a controversial Runtime Fee decision last year.

Unity is not having a good time of things lately, and things are about to get worse for employees at the company as the gaming software developer is set to fire as many as 1 800 employees soon.

This is according to documents filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that were discovered by The Wall Street Journal (paywall).

The number represents 25 percent of the company’s current workforce.

“On January 8, 2024, Unity Software Inc. (‘Unity’ or the ‘Company’) announced that it plans to reduce approximately 1,800 employee roles, or approximately 25% of its current workforce, as it restructures and refocuses on its core business, and to position itself for long-term and profitable growth,” the document reads.

“At this time, Unity cannot reasonably estimate the costs and charges in connection with this reduction, which it expects will be substantially incurred in the first quarter of 2024. The charges will primarily relate to employee transition, severance payments, and employee benefits,” it adds.

It has proved a particularly difficult period for the gaming software developer post-pandemic, with 2023 specifically taking the toughest toll.

Unity missed forecasted revenue targets for three consecutive quarters after setting records in 2022. Added to its financial issues was the fact that it suffered serious backlash from developers over an ill-conceived Runtime Fee charge late last year, which was initially outlined for implementation, and only a few days later had to be walked back.

As Engadget points out, this upcoming set of job cuts follows a recent trend for the company, which has let go of 1 100 employees since 2021, with the most recent cut costing roughly 600 employees their jobs in 2023 after it closed down 14 offices across the globe.

What the future of the company holds when these significant cuts are made, remains to be seen.