Supermassive Games, the UK-based studio known for horror titles such as Until Dawn and The Quarry, has announced a new round of layoffs that could impact up to 75 employees. This marks the third reduction in workforce for the company in the past three years.
The announcement was made via an official statement from the studio, confirming that a consultation process has begun. The potential job losses represent a significant portion of the company’s workforce, though specific departments and roles affected have not yet been detailed.
Background and Context
The studio, headquartered in Guildford, England, previously underwent layoffs in 2023 and again in early 2024. Those earlier rounds were attributed to broader industry downturns and a shift in market conditions affecting game development budgets.
Supermassive Games is currently working on Directive 8020, a sci-fi horror title expected as part of its Dark Pictures Anthology series. The game was recently showcased with release details, and company leadership had previously indicated a focus on expanding its intellectual properties and refining its development pipeline.
Industry Pressures and Market Conditions
The latest reduction in staff comes amid a turbulent period for the global video game industry. Numerous studios across Europe and North America have reported job cuts since late 2023, driven by rising production costs, post-pandemic spending normalization, and shifting consumer demand patterns.
While Supermassive Games did not explicitly cite specific reasons for the current round of cuts, the timing aligns with broader financial pressures across the sector. No official comment regarding severance terms or support packages for affected staff was included in the initial announcement.
The news was first reported by industry publication GamesIndustry.biz, which confirmed the scale of the potential impact. Supermassive Games has not yet responded to requests for further comment on which projects or teams will be prioritized moving forward.
Implications for the Development Pipeline
The layoffs raise questions about the future timeline for Directive 8020 and other unannounced projects. Previous releases from the studio have maintained a steady release cadence, and any disruption in staffing could influence internal deadlines or production milestones.
Local employment records in Surrey indicate the company had roughly 350 staff members prior to this announcement. If the full 75 positions are cut, this would represent a reduction of over 20 percent of its workforce since the start of the year.
Regulatory requirements in the UK mandate a consultation period for large-scale redundancies, which may delay the final implementation of any dismissals. Affected employees are likely to be notified individually over the coming weeks as the process concludes.
Expected Next Steps
Supermassive Games is expected to complete its consultation period within the next 30 to 45 days, in line with UK labor regulations. The studio has stated that it will continue development on its announced titles, though official statements on revised release schedules have not been issued.
Further details regarding affected roles and any studio reorganization are anticipated in the near term. Industry observers will monitor whether this reduction impacts the company’s ability to maintain its contractual obligations with publishing partners.
The company has not announced any changes to its executive leadership or long term strategic direction. A formal update is expected once the consultation process concludes, with the studio likely to release a statement outlining its revised operational structure.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
