Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius hit by fresh layoffs
CD Projekt Red has reportedly laid off nine employees and reassigned another nine from its Project Sirius team, a multiplayer spin-off of The Witcher. This follows a previous round of layoffs and a rescoping of the project in 2023. The Molasses Flood, the studio acquired by CDPR in 2021 to develop Sirius, was fully absorbed into CDPR in April 2025.
The Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius reportedly hit with another wave of layoffs
CD Projekt Red's multiplayer spin-off, Project Sirius, developed by The Molasses Flood, has reportedly experienced another wave of layoffs. Nine developers were affected, with an additional nine being moved to other projects as part of a strategic shift. This marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the game, which has been in development for four years.
CD Projekt Confirms Layoffs on The Witcher Multiplayer Spinoff, Issues Statement
CD Projekt has confirmed layoffs affecting the development of its multiplayer spinoff for The Witcher, codenamed Project Sirius. The company issued a statement regarding the workforce reduction.
Mysterious Witcher Game Project Sirius Undergoes More Changes – Report
Project Sirius, an upcoming The Witcher game developed by The Molasses Flood and published by CD Projekt Red, is reportedly undergoing significant changes. The Molasses Flood has seen nine layoffs and nine personnel shifts as part of a broader development strategy adjustment. This follows a previous round of layoffs in 2023 as the developers implemented a new framework for the game.
Bethsoft devs roast Microsoft with a giant inflatable rat as unions plan huge rallies next week
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios have protested Microsoft's recent mass layoffs by erecting a giant inflatable rat and flags representing laid-off workers outside their Rockville HQ. This action precedes planned rallies by Microsoft game developers across the US and Canada on August 18th to protest layoffs and corporate greed.
Multiplayer Witcher spin-off Project Sirius reportedly hit by layoffs again, in "broader shift in development strategy" at CD Projekt Red
CD Projekt Red has reportedly laid off nine employees working on the multiplayer Witcher spin-off Project Sirius, with another nine being reassigned. This move is attributed to a broader shift in development strategy, though a substantial team remains on the project. The company's priorities are currently The Witcher 4, a Witcher 3 expansion, and a Cyberpunk sequel.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
Epic Games sells ArtStation and Sketchfab to KitBash
Epic Games has sold its portfolio platform ArtStation and 3D model marketplace Sketchfab to KitBash, a company known for its own 3D art platforms. This divestment allows Epic to refocus on developing Unreal Engine 6, Fortnite, and the Epic Games Store. The sale comes as Epic Games continues to implement cost-cutting measures, including significant layoffs earlier this year.
Xbox boss brags about having played The Elder Scrolls 6 and teases game's name
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has played The Elder Scrolls 6 and described its scale and grandeur as 'incredible,' while teasing the game's subtitle with eight asterisks. This comes amidst concerns about development timelines and recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax Media. The article also notes a protest by the Bethesda union outside the studio regarding these layoffs.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Demo to Xbox Leadership Included a Giant Inflatable Rat, Placed Outside Bethesda Offices in Protest at Microsoft's Mass Layoffs
Bethesda employees inflated a giant rat outside the company's offices during a visit from Xbox leadership to play The Elder Scrolls 6. This protest occurred in response to Microsoft's recent mass layoffs.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 disrupted by a giant inflatable rat, as Bethesda union protests cuts
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's internal playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6 was disrupted by a protest organized by the CWA video game union outside Bethesda's offices. The protest, featuring a giant inflatable rat and red flags representing laid-off employees, aimed to highlight the substantial job cuts made by Microsoft. Sharma briefly commented on the game's scale and story on X, while the union vowed to continue fighting against the layoffs.
'One flag for each laid off dev:' Union workers stage unmissable protest for Xbox boss Asha Sharma
Union workers from the Communications Workers of America protested outside Bethesda's office during Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's visit, deploying an inflatable rat and red flags to represent each employee laid off under her leadership. The protest aimed to highlight the human cost of recent mass layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division, which have affected studios like Obsidian, id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios.
Evening Reading - August 11, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers several gaming news items, including Supermassive Games announcing layoffs, Persona producer Kazuhisa Wada expressing interest in remaking Persona 1 and 2, and performance fixes for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls on PC. The article also touches on early impressions of The Elder Scrolls 6 and reviews for Agent 64: Spies Never Die and Star Wars Zero Company.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s “Scale and Grandeur are Incredible”, Says Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has shared her positive impressions of an early build of The Elder Scrolls 6, praising its "incredible scale and grandeur" and "even greater" story. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Bethesda and union protests, as well as fan speculation regarding the game's title.
The Elder Scrolls 6 demo had a surprise guest at Bethesda HQ: a giant inflatable rat set up by protesting employees to watch Xbox execs who oversaw "devastating layoffs"
During a visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to Bethesda, protesting employees displayed a giant inflatable rat and hundreds of flags to highlight the significant layoffs that have occurred under Microsoft's leadership. The demonstration aimed to remind executives of the workers impacted by these cuts and advocate for fair treatment and the future of the game industry.
Report: Crossfire dev That's No Moon lays off 14 staff
That's No Moon, the developer of the upcoming game Crossfire, has reportedly laid off 14 employees. The news comes from multiple LinkedIn posts by affected staff members. The studio was founded in 2021 with a significant investment from publisher Smilegate.
As Xbox head Asha Sharma reportedly visits Bethesda HQ, workers put up red flags representing laid off staff and a giant inflatable rat outside
Communications Workers of America union members protested outside Bethesda's headquarters with red flags representing laid-off workers and a giant inflatable rat. The protest coincided with a reported visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and highlights ongoing concerns about Microsoft's significant layoffs within its gaming divisions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Have An 8-Letter Subtitle
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased a potential 8-letter subtitle for the upcoming game The Elder Scrolls 6 after witnessing a live playthrough. Bethesda previously stated that development is proceeding as planned, despite recent layoffs impacting morale and raising concerns about potential delays. The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of Microsoft's most anticipated upcoming titles.
Supermassive Games will lay off up to 75 workers
Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn and Directive 8020, is implementing layoffs, cutting up to 75 jobs. The company stated these measures are necessary to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Id Software lead says devs "don't have the incentive to care anymore" with Microsoft threatening another 1,600 Xbox layoffs after latest bloodbath
Id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes criticizes Microsoft's repeated layoffs, stating that they weaken studios and remove developers' incentive to care about their work. Hayes argues that companies like Microsoft fail to understand the long-term value of experienced teams and the importance of learning from failures, leading to a decline in game quality. This sentiment is echoed by other industry figures concerned about the current climate of studio reductions.
