The Outsiders, the studio founded by acclaimed Battlefield veteran David Goldfarb, is facing closure. However, Goldfarb and his dedicated team are adamant that this isn’t the end and are committed to finding a new path forward.
In a heartfelt statement, Goldfarb confirmed that The Outsiders’ closure is part of broader restructuring and layoffs at its owner, Funcom. Founded in 2015, The Outsiders narrowly avoided closure once before in 2020 when their game, Darkborn, was canceled. Following that, Funcom acquired a majority stake in the studio, which later went on to release the well-received rhythm-action game, Metal: Hellsinger, in 2022.
Goldfarb expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to create Metal: Hellsinger, calling it a personal highlight and praising the incredible team and partnerships involved.
He shared that the studio had ambitious plans for future projects, hoping to build “something even better,” but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of game development.
Despite the current pain, Goldfarb remains resolute: “We are not giving up,” he declared, emphasizing their intent to “continue on in some new form” after this challenging period.
Funcom reported that The Outsiders’ Stockholm office employed approximately 60 individuals. Interestingly, this news comes after Funcom celebrated Dune: Awakening as its most significant launch in the company’s 32-year history, yet still proceeded with a wave of job cuts.
Goldfarb’s extensive career includes notable contributions to the Battlefield franchise during his time at DICE. In 2012, he transitioned to Overkill Software, serving as game director for the popular Payday 2, before venturing out to found The Outsiders in 2015.