Star Stable Entertainment reduces workforce by 20% to secure long-term future of its multiplayer horse adventure RPG

GamesIndustry.biz reports that Swedish developer Star Stable Entertainment has laid off 20% of its workforce as part of a restructuring program. Interim CEO James Watkins said the move is intended to secure the long-term future of Star Stable, the studio’s multiplayer horse adventure RPG Star Stable Online.

For developers, the immediate takeaway is the familiar tradeoff: fewer people, tighter costs, and a narrower focus in hopes of stabilizing the business. Watkins framed the decision as a way to put the studio in the best position to adapt, grow, and keep delivering experiences for players over time.

The company says its current priority is supporting the employees leaving the studio. No breakdown has been given for which teams or disciplines were affected, so the practical impact on production, live ops, and future content plans remains unclear.

The restructuring lands against a broader ownership backdrop: Nordisk Games became Star Stable Entertainment’s majority shareholder in 2021 and now owns 57% of the developer. That context matters because it suggests the studio is being pushed to rebalance operations for sustainability rather than expansion at any cost.