Toca Boca confirms layoffs across multiple departments amid cost-saving efforts

TOCA BOCA X KATSEYE crossover (via TOCA BOCA)

Stockholm-based mobile game developer Toca Boca has laid off several employees across departments, including art, QA, design, and development.

The exact number of roles affected hasn’t been officially disclosed, but numerous former staff have confirmed the news through posts on LinkedIn.

Among those impacted is former game designer Andrew Brierly Chramer, who noted that the layoffs were linked to "project changes and cost-savings." Former art director Kim Aava also expressed gratitude for her time at the company, despite the difficult departure.

According to a report by PocketGamer.biz, at least eight former employees have publicly acknowledged being part of the layoffs.

The layoffs come at a time when Toca Boca’s parent company, Spin Master, is undergoing broader restructuring. In June, the company announced it would be closing down Nørdlight, the Swedish studio behind the mobile game Rubik’s Match. As per Spin Master, the closure was due to high user acquisition costs and lower-than-expected revenue from the title.

Toca Boca remains a key brand in the children’s mobile gaming space, with Toca Boca World being its most successful title to date. Launched in 2018, the game has reportedly generated around $795 million across the App Store and Google Play, according to analytics firm AppMagic.

Currently, the studio is also working on Toca Boca Days, an online multiplayer title that entered soft launch in April 2024. However, the long-term impact of the recent job cuts on ongoing projects remains uncertain.

Spin Master, meanwhile, reported a digital media revenue decline of over $9 million for 2024. Despite some recovery in Toca Boca World’s performance during Q4, the year overall saw challenges. The company also announced leadership changes last month, with Christina Miller set to replace Max Rangel as CEO starting July 7.