Sandsoft Shuts Down Barcelona and Riyadh Studios, Lays Off Around 21 Employees

Kolka Games’ Wizario, Rogue Harbour Game Studio’s Potions & Spells, and Izyplay Game Studio’s Iza’s Supermarket (Image Credit: Sandsoft games blog)

Sandsoft has closed its internal studios in Barcelona and Riyadh, resulting in job losses for approximately 21 employees. The move is part of a broader strategic shift, as the company looks to double down on its publishing efforts rather than internal development.

The announcement was confirmed to MobileGamer.biz, where Sandsoft acknowledged it had made "the difficult decision" and expressed gratitude for the creativity and hard work of the affected teams. The company emphasized that it's "fully committed to supporting everyone through this transition."

UPDATE: Initial reports suggested that 65 employees were affected, but Sandsoft has now clarified to us that only up to 21 employees were actually impacted. The remainder of the company, including the global team, remains fully intact.

CEO David Fernández stated that Sandsoft is now focusing more on publishing — an area where the company has already seen meaningful growth and expects continued success. “This isn’t about the quality of work or talent at these studios,” added a spokesperson. “It’s really about concentrating our resources where we can have the biggest impact and build sustainable growth.”

Sandsoft is known for its experienced team of industry veterans, with alumni from Zynga, Gameloft, King, and Rovio — the minds behind hits like Candy Crush, Angry Birds, and Top Eleven. The company has also been building a strong presence in the MENA region, previously announcing a publishing partnership with NetEase Games in 2022, which led to the establishment of Stellar Gate Games, a joint venture launched in 2024.

While the closures are significant for Sandsoft, they also add to the growing list of layoffs in the gaming industry this year. So far in 2025, over 4,000 developers have reportedly lost their jobs across companies like EA, Respawn, People Can Fly, Jagex, and Supermassive Games. Microsoft’s recent restructuring has also impacted thousands more.