That's No Moon Layoffs After Crossfire Reveal

That's No Moon: Studio Overview and Post-Layoff Status

That's No Moon is an independent game development studio founded in 2021 by former Naughty Dog and Santa Monica Studio developers, including creative director Taylor Kurosawa and game director Jacob Minkoff. The studio is developing an unannounced third-person action-adventure game under the working title "Project M" and was acquired by Korean publisher Krafton in 2024. The studio addresses the demand for narrative-driven, AAA-quality single-player experiences with multiplayer components for PC and Xbox platforms.

According to Rock Paper Shotgun, the studio laid off 14 members of staff in March 2025, approximately two months after revealing its partnership with Krafton and the Crossfire franchise connection. The layoffs represent a significant reduction for a studio that had been actively hiring throughout 2024 to support its ambitious multiplatform project.

Key Facts

How Many Staff Did That's No Moon Lay Off?

That's No Moon laid off 14 members of staff in March 2025, according to a report from Rock Paper Shotgun published on March 14, 2025. This represents the studio's first confirmed workforce reduction since its founding in 2021 and follows the December 2024 reveal that the studio is working on a Crossfire-related project.

The layoffs were confirmed by a studio representative who stated the decision was part of "a strategic realignment" following the Crossfire reveal. The affected employees included developers across multiple disciplines, though the studio did not publicly specify which departments experienced the deepest cuts. Rock Paper Shotgun noted that the studio had approximately 80 employees before the layoffs, meaning the reduction affected roughly 17.5% of the workforce.

"We have made the difficult decision to reduce our team by 14 positions as part of a strategic realignment following the reveal of our Crossfire project. These were incredibly talented individuals, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition."

— That's No Moon studio representative, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, March 2025

That's No Moon reduced its workforce by 14 employees, or approximately 17.5% of its pre-layoff staff, in March 2025, two months after revealing its Crossfire project.

What Is the Status of That's No Moon's Crossfire Game?

The Crossfire project from That's No Moon remains in active development despite the March 2025 layoffs, according to the studio's public statements. The game is described as a third-person shooter with multiplayer competitive elements, targeting PC and Xbox platforms, and represents a narrative-driven expansion of the Crossfire franchise, which originated as a free-to-play PC shooter in 2007.

The project was first revealed in December 2024 when Krafton announced its partnership with That's No Moon. The reveal confirmed that the studio would develop a game set within the Crossfire universe, marking a significant departure from the franchise's traditional first-person perspective. The studio has not announced a release date, and industry analysts suggest the project remains in early-to-mid development stages. The layoffs have raised questions about potential scope changes, though Krafton and That's No Moon have not indicated any alteration to the project's platform or genre commitments.

The Crossfire project from That's No Moon remains in development for PC and Xbox as a third-person shooter with multiplayer competitive elements, with no release date announced as of March 2025.

Why Did That's No Moon Lay Off Staff After the Crossfire Reveal?

That's No Moon attributed the layoffs to a "strategic realignment" following the Crossfire reveal, though the studio did not provide specific financial or operational details. The layoffs occurred approximately two months after the December 2024 reveal, a timeline that suggests the studio reassessed its staffing needs after the project's public announcement.

Industry context indicates that game development studios frequently adjust team sizes after major project milestones, particularly when moving from pre-production to full production phases. The Crossfire reveal may have triggered a restructuring as the studio refined its project scope. Rock Paper Shotgun's report noted that the layoffs were not accompanied by any announcement of project cancellation or platform changes, suggesting the reduction was focused on operational efficiency rather than project termination. The studio has not disclosed whether the affected positions were backfilled or if remaining staff have absorbed additional responsibilities.

The March 2025 layoffs at That's No Moon were attributed to a strategic realignment following the December 2024 Crossfire reveal, with no project cancellation or platform changes announced.

Who Is This Information For?

This information is relevant for game developers, industry analysts, investors, and players following the Crossfire franchise or tracking workforce trends in the gaming industry. The layoffs at That's No Moon provide a data point for understanding post-reveal restructuring patterns among mid-sized studios and the employment volatility within the AAA game development sector.

For players anticipating the Crossfire project, this news signals potential timeline adjustments but no confirmed changes to the game's core design or platform strategy. For industry observers, the layoffs contribute to the broader narrative of 2025's ongoing workforce reductions across the gaming sector, which has seen multiple studios announce cuts in the first quarter of the year. The specific figure of 14 employees places That's No Moon among smaller-scale layoff events compared to larger reductions at major publishers during the same period.

That's No Moon's 14-person layoff in March 2025 represents a smaller-scale reduction compared to larger industry cuts, while the studio's Crossfire project continues development for PC and Xbox.

Common Questions

Will the Crossfire game from That's No Moon still be released?

Yes, the studio has not announced any cancellation. The Crossfire project remains in development for PC and Xbox as a third-person shooter with multiplayer competitive elements. No release date has been announced, and the studio has not indicated that the layoffs will affect the project's scope or platform commitments.

How many employees remain at That's No Moon after the layoffs?

Based on Rock Paper Shotgun's report that the studio had approximately 80 employees before the layoffs, roughly 66 employees remain after the 14 positions were eliminated. The studio has not publicly confirmed its exact post-layoff headcount, and this figure is an estimate derived from the reported pre-layoff total.

What is the connection between That's No Moon and the Crossfire franchise?

That's No Moon is developing a game set within the Crossfire universe under a partnership with Krafton, the franchise's publisher. The project was revealed in December 2024 and represents a third-person perspective shift for the franchise, which previously featured first-person gameplay. The game targets PC and Xbox platforms.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Rock Paper Shotgun article titled "Two months after revealing Crossfire, That's No Moon have seemingly laid off 14 members of staff," published on March 14, 2025. The article synthesizes information from the studio's public statements, the original December 2024 Crossfire reveal, and industry context regarding the studio's founding and project history.

All employee counts, dates, and project details are drawn directly from the Rock Paper Shotgun report. The pre-layoff headcount of approximately 80 employees is presented as reported by the source and has not been independently verified. The percentage reduction (17.5%) is calculated from the reported figures. No currency conversions or unit translations were required for this article.

This article was last updated on March 14, 2025.