Mind Candy lays off 30 staff

Moshi Monsters outfit Mind Candy has laid off 30 staff.

TechCrunch claims the company is now down to just over 100 staff following a round of redundancies last week as it shifts to a mobile focus.

The studio had employed as many as 200 people in 2012.

Mind Candy founder Michael Acton Smith confirmed the layoffs, but said the company was still hiring for new talent. He denied however that all the redundancies came from the Moshi Monsters team.

“No, the whole of the Moshi web team did not go,” he said.

“Last year we moved some people off the web team onto our new mobile projects. There were a small number of redundancies at that time. We passionately believe in Moshi Monsters and will continue to build it out as an evergreen brand. As with any business, it’s important to ensure the core team is the right size and of the right expertise. This is why we have had to rethink the structure of the company to focus on the future with our new brands in mind.”

In July Michael Acton Smith announced he was stepping down as CEO of the UK firm to take on a creative leadership role.

Earlier this year Mind Candy also unveiled new IP World of Warriors as it looks to expand its business away from the Moshi Monsters brand.