Krafton Offers Employee Buyouts After Announcing 'AI-First' Strategy

Krafton, the South Korean company behind major gaming titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds and the highly anticipated Subnautica 2, has initiated a voluntary resignation program for its employees. The move comes shortly after the publisher announced a significant corporate pivot to become an "AI-First" company, aiming to integrate artificial intelligence deeply into its game development and operational processes.

The program, framed as the “Voluntary Retirement Program,” offers buyouts to employees who may not wish to align with the company's new direction. According to reports, the offer is designed for those who find it challenging to adapt to "the era of AI transformation" that Krafton is pursuing. This initiative provides a path for staff to leave the company, with some outlets reporting that the package could amount to several years' worth of salary as a severance package.

The announcement has drawn considerable attention, particularly because it was made after Krafton posted record-breaking financial results for its most recent quarter. While the company has not categorized the program as a layoff, industry observers have interpreted it as a method of workforce reduction. Details of the company's restructuring around AI suggest a fundamental shift in its production pipeline and talent requirements, with a plan to "spearhead a paradigm shift in the gaming industry."

Krafton's strategy involves leveraging AI to enhance game development efficiency and create new, innovative player experiences. The company aims to apply AI across all facets of its business, from development and publishing to live operations. This voluntary redundancy program appears to be a direct consequence of that strategic reorientation, allowing the company to streamline its workforce and focus on personnel who are fully committed to its AI-centric future. The move is part of a broader, and often controversial, trend of AI adoption in the video game industry, which has sparked widespread debate about its impact on creative roles and job security.