Layoff Announcement: 2K Mobile Studio, Cat Daddy Games, Initiates Staff Reduction
**News Article: Layoffs Hit Mobile Game Studio Cat Daddy Games**
Cat Daddy Games, a mobile game studio under the 2K label and part of Take-Two Interactive, has recently experienced layoffs. This is the second round of staff reductions at the studio this year, according to Game Developer[4]. 2K and Take-Two have yet to provide a detailed explanation for the layoffs but, like many other gaming studios in 2025, such cuts are often linked to cost management, strategic realignments, or restructuring efforts[4][2].
The layoffs have resulted in job losses for employees at Cat Daddy Games, although the exact number of affected individuals has not been disclosed[4]. Despite this, there has been no public announcement of the studio's closure, suggesting that it will continue to operate and support its existing mobile titles[4].
The gaming industry has seen a surge in consolidation, large-scale acquisitions, and rising development costs, which have contributed to increased layoffs and studio closures[2]. These economic pressures may explain why Cat Daddy Games and other studios are streamlining their operations.
Under 2K and Take-Two, Cat Daddy Games is expected to continue operating, albeit possibly in a refocused capacity. The layoffs may signal a shift in strategic priorities, potentially towards supporting higher-performing projects or adapting to evolving mobile gaming trends[4].
The studio's future prospects are unclear, but it appears that it will remain a part of the mobile gaming ecosystem. Key personnel, such as Live-operations specialist Kayde Ahern, senior producer Bob Givnin, and live ops producer Jeff Kalles, have announced their departures from Cat Daddy Games on LinkedIn, citing layoffs as the reason[4].
Take-Two Interactive, Cat Daddy Games' parent company, has been performing well financially. The company reported a "solid" financial quarter in February 2023[5]. Furthermore, its mobile division accounted for more than 50 percent of Take-Two's total net bookings during the second quarter of the last fiscal year, and over 64 percent of recurrent consumer spending came from the mobile division[6].
**Summary Table: Cat Daddy Games Layoffs 2025**
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Reason for Layoffs | Cost management, strategic alignment, industry market pressures | | Impact | Job losses at Cat Daddy Games; studio continues operating | | Future Prospects | No closure announced; future under 2K/Take-Two seems to be ongoing |
**Conclusion**
The layoffs at Cat Daddy Games reflect the broader challenges faced by the gaming industry as studios adapt to new economic realities. Under 2K and Take-Two, Cat Daddy Games is likely to remain a part of the mobile gaming ecosystem, though in a potentially slimmed-down or refocused capacity[4][2].
Kayde Ahern, who was impacted by the cuts, expressed her personal feelings about the layoffs and her sadness at leaving her colleagues at Cat Daddy Games[7]. NBA 2K25, one of the studio's titles, has sold almost 10 million units worldwide[8].
Take-Two has been pursuing "select mobile M&A opportunities" following its Zynga acquisition in 2022[3], which may indicate a broader strategy to strengthen its mobile gaming presence. The delay of Grand Theft Auto VI into 2026 and the success of NBA 2K during this period further underscore the importance of the mobile gaming sector to Take-Two's overall performance[9][10].
A 2K spokesperson declined to comment on the reported layoffs when contacted by a specific website[11]. Producer Nicki Beaudry and 3D animator Peter Hon also announced their departures from Cat Daddy Games on LinkedIn, citing corporate restructuring as the reason[12].
The layoffs at Cat Daddy Games, a mobile game studio under the 2K label, could be linked to cost management strategies and technology updates, as these are common reasons for layoffs in the gaming industry during 2025. With the financial success of Take-Two Interactive's mobile division, it's possible that the studio might undergo changes to align with technology advancements and business strategies in the mobile gaming sector.
