Supermassive Games to lay off up to 75 employees
Creator of Until Dawn makes tough decision for company sustainability
1Supermassive Games announces layoffs
The creator of Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, Supermassive Games, announced plans to lay off up to 75 employees. The UK-based studio stated this decision was necessary for sustainability. In a social media post, the company acknowledged the difficulty of this process for affected staff. They promised full support to those impacted by the workforce reduction.
2Third round of layoffs in 2.5 years
This marks Supermassive's third workforce reduction in the last 30 months. The studio cut 90 jobs in February 2024 and approximately 35 more in July 2025. By the end of 2025, the company employed 172 people. Former CEO Robert Henrysson stepped down in June 2025, weeks after the release of their latest game Directive 8020.
3Future of the Until Dawn franchise
While an Until Dawn sequel was announced in June 2025, Supermassive isn't involved in the project. The studio also didn't develop the 2024 remake. Sony's internal studio Firesprite is handling Until Dawn 2, signaling Supermassive's shift away from major franchises.
4Broader gaming industry layoffs
Supermassive's decision reflects wider industry trends, with over 10,000 gaming jobs lost in early 2025. Both major publishers and indie studios are downsizing due to economic uncertainty and rising development costs. The sector faces significant challenges in maintaining stable employment levels.
5Company's financial position
Supermassive's recent financial reports indicate declining revenues. The underperformance of Directive 8020 appears to be a key factor behind the layoffs. Industry analysts predict the studio may pivot toward smaller-scale projects to maintain financial stability.
6Support for affected employees
The company has initiated consultation processes for impacted staff. Supermassive committed to providing severance packages and career transition support. The UK game development community has begun networking efforts to help displaced professionals find new opportunities.
7Industry analysts weigh in
Experts describe Supermassive's move as 'long overdue,' citing the studio's overextension across multiple simultaneous projects. Analysts agree the company needs to adopt a more focused production model. The layoffs highlight structural challenges facing mid-sized game developers.
8Future of the games industry
Supermassive's situation illustrates the difficulties AA studios face in today's market. Creating mid-sized projects without major publisher backing is becoming increasingly challenging. The industry must develop new business models and funding approaches to support diverse studio sizes.