Layoffs
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Supermassive Games are the latest studio to announce layoff plans, with 75 jobs at risk just three months after Directive 8020 launch
Supermassive Games has announced that it is beginning redundancy consultations for up to 75 employees, marking the studio's third round of layoffs in two years. This decision comes just three months after the launch of their latest horror game, Directive 8020. The studio cited the need for sustainability as the reason for the difficult decision, a move that mirrors broader trends of job cuts within the gaming industry.
Third Straight Year Of Layoffs Hits Until Dawn, Little Nightmares 3 Dev Supermassive
Supermassive Games has announced layoffs affecting up to 75 employees, marking the third consecutive year of significant job cuts at the studio. The developer cited "sustainability" as the reason for the reductions, which follow recent releases and acquisitions. This news comes amid similar workforce reductions at other studios owned by Nordisk Games, including Avalanche Studios and MercurySteam.
3 months after the release of Directive 8020, Supermassive Games is laying off even more people
Supermassive Games is undergoing its third round of layoffs in less than three years, with up to 75 employees being made redundant. The studio cited the need for sustainability, despite being a division of Nordisk Film, which is owned by Egmont Group. This follows the release of their game Directive 8020, which received a mixed reception.
Until Dawn Creator Supermassive Games Laying Off Staff
Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn and Directive 8020, has announced layoffs affecting a number of its staff. The company confirmed the workforce reduction in a public statement.
Until Dawn Developer Supermassive Games Cutting Up to 75 Staff, Following Mixed Response to Directive 8020
Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn, has announced significant layoffs, impacting up to 75 employees. This marks the third round of job cuts for the studio in three years, following a mixed reception to their recent title, Directive 8020.
Supermassive Games announces layoffs impacting up to 75 employees
Supermassive Games, the studio behind Until Dawn and The Quarry, has announced layoffs impacting up to 75 employees. The company stated this is a necessary step for sustainability and will prioritize supporting affected staff. This move adds to a trend of significant layoffs within the gaming industry in recent years.
Supermassive Games begins third round of layoffs in three years
Supermassive Games has initiated a third round of layoffs in three years, with up to 75 employees potentially affected. This follows previous downsizing in July 2025 and earlier in 2024, raising concerns about the future of the studio and its narrative-driven franchises. The news comes just three months after the release of their latest title, Directive 8020.
New Gamescom survey has spoken: Discoverability needs to improve, and AI is still an unknown
A Gamescom survey of 100 developers reveals concerns about financial stability, with Artificial Intelligence and hardware costs seen as the biggest impacts on game production. While some embrace AI for coding and production, others are against its involvement. Discoverability remains a major issue, with friends and communities being the primary source of game discovery over digital storefronts.
Until Dawn and Little Nightmares 3 studio Supermassive announces further layoffs, with as many as 75 people expected to lose their jobs
Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, has announced another round of layoffs, potentially affecting up to 75 employees. This marks the third such event in two years for the UK studio, which recently released Directive 8020 and Little Nightmares 3. The company cited the need for sustainability as the reason for the redundancies.
Supermassive Games announces layoffs, up to 75 workers may be affected
Supermassive Games has announced a third round of layoffs, potentially affecting up to 75 employees, citing the need for company sustainability. This follows previous job cuts in July 2023 and February 2024, with the studio previously postponing its horror title Directive 8020.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
Supermassive Games Begins Redundancy Consultation Process, Up to 75 Layoffs Expected
Supermassive Games has initiated a redundancy consultation process that could affect up to 75 employees, citing sustainability as the reason. This marks the third consecutive year of layoffs for the studio, which previously experienced staff reductions in 2024 and 2025. The company's recent title, Directive 8020, launched on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, but its sales performance and reception are unknown factors in these decisions.
id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft's are weakening the games industry, because developers 'don't have the incentive to care anymore'
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes argues that mass layoffs, like those seen at Microsoft's Xbox division, are detrimental to the games industry. He believes these actions weaken the industry by removing developers' incentive to care about their craft and the long-term quality of games, ultimately leading to mediocre products and a less healthy creative environment.
As GTA 6 anticipation builds and the games industry buckles, Take-Two boss says "I don't love winning by…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discusses the current state of the video game industry, marked by layoffs, acquisitions, and cancellations, while anticipating the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Zelnick expresses a preference for growth through innovation rather than attrition and highlights the benefits of being a transparent public company. He also touches on the increasing audience size and monetization potential within the gaming market.
The video game site backed by Walmart has laid off its editorial team
Walmart-backed video game outlet Restart has laid off its entire editorial team, including news editor Imran Khan and editor-in-chief Brandy Berthelson. Berthelson stated this marks the end of her 20-year career in games media due to repeated layoffs. The outlet, established in December 2024 with backing from Moonrock and Walmart, operated independently despite its retail ties.
"They don't understand art" - id Software lead slams Xbox, says it's "impossible" to make games like 2016's Doom now
id Software lead developer Chris Hayes stated that it is impossible to create triple-A games like 2016's Doom with half the staff, criticizing Microsoft's recent layoffs. Hayes believes the company's leadership does not understand game development or the business, especially regarding the impact of services like Game Pass on sales metrics. He also refuted claims that id Software's developer count remains similar to when Doom (2016) was released.
Dev at id Software says Microsoft 'burned a lot of bridges' in the industry: 'They fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games'
Chris Hays, lead services programmer at id Software, criticized Microsoft's handling of recent layoffs, stating the company "fundamentally don't understand art, they don't understand games." He described the process as "inhumane" and "demoralizing," leading to a significant loss of talent and expertise within the studio. Hays believes Microsoft has "burned a lot of bridges" and damaged its reputation, making future recruitment and trust difficult.
Leaked Emails: Overwatch and Diablo Pushed Blizzard to the Top of Xbox’s Studio Rankings
Leaked emails from Blizzard president Johanna Faries reveal that Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio within Xbox's division in FY26, driven by the success of Overwatch and Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred. This marks Blizzard's first back-to-back years of growth since FY17, despite Microsoft's wider gaming division experiencing significant layoffs.
Doom dev criticises Xbox after studio layoffs: 'Morale has never been lower'
A lead programmer from id Software, Chris Hays, has heavily criticized Microsoft and Xbox following recent layoffs that significantly impacted the studio. Hays described the process as 'inhumane' and stated that morale is at an all-time low, making it impossible to develop AAA games with half the staff. He also criticized Xbox's understanding of the Game Pass business model and its impact on game development.
Blizzard Was “Top-Performing” Studio at Xbox in Q4 FY26 – Rumor
A report suggests Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio at Xbox in Q4 FY26, with Blizzard president Johanna Faries congratulating staff on growth and record fiscal performance. This success, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, contrasts with Xbox's overall revenue decline and recent layoffs.
