Imagine pouring millions into a game launch, enlisting one of the biggest names on YouTube, and still falling flat on your face. That’s the harsh reality for Glowmade, the studio behind Amazon Games’ King of Meat, which is now facing layoffs after a launch that can only be described as catastrophic.
Several developers at Glowmade have confirmed they’ll be let go in January 2026, a stark contrast to the optimism leadership had earlier this year. But here's where it gets controversial: despite a multi-million-dollar marketing blitz—including a custom MrBeast video, London bus wraps, and even an animated TV pilot—King of Meat failed to attract players. Sources reveal the game’s peak concurrent player count barely scratched 320 across all platforms, a far cry from the 100,000 leadership had hoped for. And this is the part most people miss: the studio had assured employees they were financially secure just months ago.
The fallout has been swift. Voluntary redundancy talks began earlier this month, affecting around a dozen staffers. For a game that pulled out all the stops in marketing, the results are baffling. Was it the game’s concept, execution, or something else entirely? Is it fair to blame the developers when a game flops, or should leadership take the fall for overpromising?
Glowmade’s future remains uncertain, leaving fans and industry watchers alike wondering what’s next for the studio. If you’re a Glowmade developer with insights into what went wrong, you can share your story anonymously via emailprotected.
In other gaming news, if you haven’t already, check out the exclusive Resident Evil Requiem gameplay revealed in Japan (https://insider-gaming.com/new-resident-evil-requiem-gameplay-shown-exclusively-in-japan-reveals-new-location/). For more real-time updates, exclusive podcasts, and a seamless reading experience, download our mobile app, available on Android. Level up your gaming news today!
