Immutable, one of Australia’s leading NFT gaming companies, is going through major internal changes, including executive resignations and significant staff layoffs. The crypto-based gaming startup, founded in 2018, has cut over one-third of its workforce in the past nine months and seen several top leaders step down.
On , two key figures — CFO and interim CCO David Bicknell, and Chief Legal Officer Ed Bunting — announced their departures. This follows earlier exits by Chief Commercial Officer Jason Suen in August 2024 and COO Gillian Findlay in February 2024.
In response to the leadership changes, Immutable has promoted Tori Brooks as the new Head of Operations and is planning to appoint James Gordon as Head of Commercial.
While Immutable’s series of executive exits might seem concerning, it mirrors a broader trend across the tech world. The tech industry has one of the highest turnover rates, averaging 13.2%. In specialized sectors like crypto and gaming, that number climbs to 15.5%.
Despite these changes, the company’s founding team — brothers James and Robbie Ferguson, and CTO Alex Connolly — have remained for over seven years, showing rare stability in a fast-moving industry.
The company’s 33% staff reduction reflects a wider trend: the growing adoption of AI in the workplace. As tech firms look to cut costs and boost efficiency, AI is playing a bigger role in daily operations.
McKinsey reports that AI could drive $4.4 trillion in productivity, and it's projected that 42% of work tasks will be automated by 2027. Immutable’s downsizing aligns with this shift, focusing on AI talent while reducing traditional tech roles.
Since the pandemic, there’s been a 70% increase in AI and machine learning jobs and a 35% decline in standard software engineering roles.
Immutable’s recent changes reflect the evolving nature of the NFT gaming industry and the broader shift in the tech job market. From executive turnover to AI replacing jobs in tech, companies are transforming how they operate — not out of necessity alone, but to stay competitive.
Whether you’re in blockchain gaming, crypto development, or the broader technology sector, one thing is clear: the way we work is rapidly changing.
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