Update (07/18/25): Secret 6 Madrid leadership has informed Game Developer the studio has officially called off its strike after agreeing severance terms with parent company Testronic.
It’s news that confirms the studio will effectively shutter on July 31, 2025—although Testronic has yet to officially comment on the matter.
One studio leader said the severance package isn’t exactly what the team was hoping for but is better than the “bare legal minimum” previously offered by Testronic.
“Although the negotiation has been tough and despite the multiple divisive tactics used by Testronic’s legal representatives, the team stood firm and refused to leave anyone behind, especially those in more vulnerable positions, even when that meant turning down significantly better conditions for most,” they said in a statement to Game Developer.
“That speaks volumes about each and every one of them, and I’m proud to be part of this team.”
Game Developer has once again approached Testronic for comment.
Original story: Workers at Secret 6 Madrid intend to strike unless parent company Testronic commits to adequately compensating employees it plans to make redundant.
This morning, we published an extensive report in which four members of the Secret 6 Madrid team accused parent company Testronic of “wildly violating” their labor rights and essentially leaving the art outsourcing studio “to die.” The studio is fighting back with assistance from Spanish labor union Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT).
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Testronic purchased Secret 6, which also has offices in Manila, around three years ago but staff at the studio claim the Spanish location will be effectively shuttered on July 31, 2025.
Those based in Madrid say Testronic has failed to provide the studio with business support or work contracts since completing its acquisition in 2023, and believe they have been intentionally sabotaged so the global service provider can prioritize operations in Manila where they say working conditions are “much more precarious and wages much lower.”
Now, Secret 6 Madrid studio leaders have told Game Developer the entire team will strike for five days—across July 17, 21, 22, 23, and 24—unless they receive a final offer from Testronic’s legal team that meets their demands.
Although the majority of the studio could be laid off at the end of July, leadership confirmed that eight people will remain under contract with clients until November and December 2025. Those staffers have not ruled out the possibility of striking again.
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“These eight colleagues are not replaceable, as the clients they work with have specifically requested them (or, at most, someone from the Madrid team who we consider capable of matching their level),” said Secret 6 Madrid leadership in a statement. “Under no circumstances do these clients want to work with the Manila team, as they have mentioned multiple times.”
Secret 6 Madrid is demanding Testronic provides fair severance compensation and claims the company has so far tabled offers “far below” their expectations.
“Our intention was always to continue our professional activity, as we are capable of generating value and benefits if given the opportunity to work on new projects. As the company has decided to shut us down, that possibility has been taken away from us entirely, so we only claim a fair compensation,” continues the statement.
“Throughout the negotiation process, we have always been open to dialogue and shown flexibility. We have even been willing to consider offers far below our original expectations, while the company has maintained a completely inflexible stance from the start.”
In addition, Secret 6 Madrid wants Testronic to recognize the seniority and status of team members who have been employed for a year under an “irregular internship contract,” which they explain held them to the same standards, hours, and performance expectations of permanent employees.
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“This period was recognized as valid seniority for the colleagues who were laid off in 2023, just before the Secret 6 studio head resigned. That moment was, in hindsight, the first sign that Testronic had stopped actively seeking new projects, as those team members came from a very specialised field that had already been left without projects for some time,” added the studio. “This recognition is entirely legal, according to both union lawyers and the private legal advisors who are supporting us.”
Testronic has yet to reply to repeated requests for comment.