• Former staff of Jyamma Games, developers of *Enotria: The Last Song*, report being owed months of unpaid salary following layoffs in late 2025.
  • CEO Giacomo Greco attributed initial financial difficulties to delayed revenue collection from *Enotria*'s PlayStation sales (Feb-Apr 2025).
  • The studio underwent multiple radical project changes, shifting from an *Enotria* sequel to a *Divine Comedy* trading card game, then an action-RPG, and finally a 2.5D *Enotria* spin-off, all within 2025.
  • Jyamma Games explored potential funding from publishers like Neowiz, and discussed broader strategic opportunities with Amazon and Tencent, alongside plans for a NASDAQ public listing.
  • Mass layoffs occurred in October and December 2025, framed as necessary restructuring for "long-term sustainability" and future rehiring.
  • Jyamma CEO Giacomo Greco asserts that all commitments continue to be honored, payments are merely "rescheduled," and the current team is fully aligned with no ongoing payment delays.

Unpacking the Enotria Aftermath: A Studio in Crisis

We at In Game News have been keeping a close eye on Jyamma Games, the Milan-based indie darling behind the critically acclaimed *Enotria: The Last Song*. While the game itself launched to positive reception in September 2024—our own reviewer Caelyn Ellis called it "a delightful Soulslike palette cleanser"—an inside look at the studio paints a grim picture of financial turmoil, drastic project shifts, and, most critically, former staff left without their due salaries.

The Salary Grift and Financial Strain

Reports from former Jyamma Games staff, speaking anonymously to RPS, reveal a troubling pattern: months of unpaid salaries following layoffs last year. This isn't just about a few late paychecks; we're talking about significant financial insecurity for developers. Salary payment delays reportedly began in March and April 2025, coinciding with work on an *Enotria* sequel. Staff were initially told the situation would be "resolved quickly."

However, CEO Giacomo Greco, in a May email to staff, acknowledged "financial difficulties" and the inability to meet scheduled payments. He attributed these cashflow problems to the delayed collection of revenue from *Enotria* sales on PlayStation across February, March, and April. This also followed previous challenges with the Xbox Series X and S versions, where Microsoft reportedly promised to 'improve our processes' after Greco's public criticism.

Despite an administrative manager's email on June 13th stating outstanding April payments were "fully paid," sources confirm management repeatedly postponed monthly payments through to August 2025. One person lamented that "communication became inconsistent and unclear," a truly demoralizing scenario for any team in the trenches.

A Dizzying Dev Cycle: Project Pivots Galore

The financial woes appear to have triggered a series of head-spinning creative pivots. In April, the *Enotria* sequel was put on hold. Instead, Greco announced an adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s *La Divina Comedia* as a trading card game. While an interesting prospect given *Enotria*'s rich Italian folklore, this was a massive shift in the dev cycle.

Then, in July, another bombshell: the *Divine Comedy* adaptation would *also* be an action-RPG, much like *Enotria*. And that's not all; come October, another project entered the fray: a 2.5D *Enotria* spin-off developed concurrently with the *Divine Comedy* game. For a studio grappling with cashflow, this kind of constant redirection can be a brutal drain on resources and morale, a classic symptom of internal instability.

Seeking Solvency: Big Players and Public Listings

Amidst the internal chaos, Jyamma Games was actively seeking external solutions. Greco informed staff in July that the studio was in talks with Neowiz, publishers of *Lies Of P*, who had "expressed strong interest" in publishing either the *Divine Comedy* adaptation or *Enotria 2*. "Concrete updates" were expected by September or October.

Beyond publishing deals, the aspirations were even grander. Greco's July email also mentioned discussions with investors about taking Jyamma public on the NASDAQ stock exchange, a "complex process that could take 6-12 months," with the tantalizing prospect of distributing company shares to team members. Early discussions with industry giants Amazon and Tencent for "long-term strategic opportunities" were also on the table, painting a picture of a studio chasing a big lifeline.

The Human Cost: Layoffs and Bitterness

Things came to a head in October. While July salaries were finally paid, Greco confirmed mass layoffs were coming "to make the company more sustainable," with a promise to "ramp up again" and discuss rehiring once investment was secured. According to sources, two separate rounds of layoffs hit in October and December. The kicker? On the day of the initial layoff announcement, Jyamma Games posted "Happy Birthday to us!" on their Instagram. Talk about a gut punch to the departing team members.

Adding insult to injury, public corroboration for payment delays emerged in August 2025. After the *Divine Comedy* game trailer screened at Gamescom, Italian streamers Blur and IlMasseo alleged they were still owed payments for *Enotria* promotion from the previous year.

As of February 9th, while some current Jyamma staff are reportedly getting paid, several former team members are still owed salaries for August, September, and October. It’s a depressing state of affairs, indeed.

The CEO Responds: A Different Narrative

When approached for comment on the allegations of delayed payments, project changes, and publisher negotiations, CEO Giacomo Greco offered a general response:

Enotria was an ambitious project, entirely self-financed, self-produced, and self-published, born from the passion of our team and several industry veterans, with the clear objective of establishing Jyamma Games' identity through the development of original IPs rooted in Italian culture. The company has always acted with the well-being of its collaborators as a priority and has consistently worked to retain as many team members as possible. We confirm that we have never ceased compensating our collaborators. While some payments have been rescheduled, all commitments continue to be honored, as they have been regularly over the past six years. Following a necessary restructuring to ensure long-term sustainability, the current team is fully aligned with the studio's resources, and there are no payment delays. Regarding the matter involving Italian streamers, Jyamma Games has always honored and will continue to honor all agreements made. The parties involved are working together to ensure that all agreed obligations are fulfilled. Jyamma Games refrains from commenting on any rumors or speculation regarding projects or partnerships, and any information regarding its initiatives will be shared when appropriate.

Greco's statement paints a very different picture, emphasizing the studio's self-financed journey, commitment to employee well-being, and the claim that payments are merely "rescheduled," not withheld. He asserts that current staff are aligned and experiencing no delays.

Our Take: The Real Game is Dev Livelihoods

At In Game News, we pride ourselves on championing quality games, and *Enotria* certainly delivered as a well-made Soulslike that brought a unique Italian flair to the genre. We're also genuinely enthusiastic about the creative potential of their *Divine Comedy* adaptation. However, all that takes a back seat when the livelihoods of the talented individuals crafting these experiences are at stake.

The reports from former staff, corroborated by public streamer allegations, paint a stark contrast to the CEO's assurance of "honored commitments" and merely "rescheduled" payments. While financial difficulties are a harsh reality in the indie space, the lack of consistent communication, the constant project pivots, and the final slap of mass layoffs followed by a birthday post reflect a deeply troubled internal situation. We believe transparency and accountability are paramount, especially when it comes to ensuring developers are paid for their hard work. The gaming world thrives on innovation and passion, but it cannot do so at the expense of its people.