Funcom Confirms Closure of Metal: Hellsinger Developer The Outsiders Amid Studio Layoffs
Published on 02:55 AM, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 by miladmim
In a surprising and unfortunate development, Funcom, the Norwegian publisher best known for titles like Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles, has announced a new round of layoffs that includes the closure of The Outsiders, the acclaimed studio behind Metal: Hellsinger.
The news comes as a shock to many in the gaming community, particularly because The Outsiders had built a strong reputation for innovation and creativity. The team’s 2022 release, Metal: Hellsinger, stood out as one of the most original FPS titles in recent years — combining fast-paced, Doom-inspired gunplay with rhythm-based mechanics synchronized to a heavy metal soundtrack featuring famous artists from the genre.
Even after its successful launch, The Outsiders continued to support Metal: Hellsinger through multiple DLCs and content updates, expanding the game’s roster of songs and introducing new cosmetics. The game’s passionate fanbase had hoped that these updates hinted at a potential sequel or a new creative project from the studio.
A Difficult Time for Funcom
Despite its recent financial success, Funcom appears to be undergoing a significant internal restructuring. The publisher’s latest title, Dune: Awakening, launched in June 2025 and became Funcom’s fastest-selling game ever, surpassing one million sales in just two weeks. However, the company confirmed earlier this month that it was transitioning from full development to live service maintenance, a shift that led to layoffs even within the Dune: Awakening team.
At the time of writing, Dune: Awakening remains available only on PC, with console versions for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 expected to arrive sometime in 2026.
Closure of The Outsiders Confirmed
The situation escalated further when David Goldfarb, founder and creative director of The Outsiders, publicly announced on Bluesky that Funcom had decided to shut down the entire studio. In his emotional message, Goldfarb expressed his disappointment and solidarity with his team, writing:
“We are not giving up, and we are going to try to continue on in some new form. Change is always tough, and right now we are all hurting.”
Goldfarb also appealed to the gaming industry for support, asking studios and recruiters to reach out to affected team members. His statement highlights the growing uncertainty faced by many developers in the current economic climate, as even well-performing studios face sudden closures.
A Brief Look at The Outsiders’ Journey
The Outsiders was founded in 2015 by a group of veteran developers, many of whom had previously worked at EA DICE on the Battlefield franchise. The studio’s first project, a dark fantasy first-person title called Darkborn, was unfortunately canceled in 2020.
That same year, The Outsiders revealed Metal: Hellsinger, which immediately captured attention for its unique blend of music and combat. A year later, in 2021, Funcom officially acquired The Outsiders, integrating the team into its family of studios.
Following the release of Metal: Hellsinger in 2022, The Outsiders assisted with the development of Dune: Awakening, which went on to become one of Funcom’s most successful projects to date. Given this contribution, many fans and industry observers are questioning why the studio became a target of the recent layoffs.
At this point, it remains unclear whether The Outsiders had any new, unannounced projects in development or if its staff was primarily focused on supporting Funcom’s other titles.
Uncertain Future
Goldfarb’s message suggests that he and several members of the team hope to rebuild in some capacity, potentially forming a new independent studio. However, as seen across the gaming industry in recent years, talented developers often scatter after such closures, seeking opportunities at other companies to maintain stability.
The closure of The Outsiders underscores a troubling trend: even creative success and strong community support are no longer guarantees of job security in today’s volatile gaming landscape. Despite the commercial success of Dune: Awakening and the critical acclaim for Metal: Hellsinger, Funcom’s restructuring serves as a stark reminder that financial success does not always shield studios from corporate downsizing.
