Supermassive Games Adia Directive 8020 After Layoffs

Supermassive Games has postponed the release of its next game, Directive 8020, to the first semester of 2026. The decision follows a round of layoffs that affected up to 36 employees of the British studio. The company justified the measure by the need to "adapt the team structure to better align with recent industry changes".

Impact on Teams and Other Projects

In a statement on social media, Supermassive Games stated that the decision to restructure the team and postpone Directive 8020 was not taken "lightly". The studio's priority is to offer "full support to all those affected", recognizing that this is an "incredibly difficult" time for the laid-off employees.

Despite the challenges, the studio assured that the development of Little Nightmares 3, scheduled for October, was not impacted by the layoffs or the postponement. Directive 8020 is a continuation of the Dark Pictures series, which includes titles like Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes and The Devil in Me. The horror and science fiction game will feature Lashana Lynch (actress from James Bond and Marvel) in the lead role of "innovative astronaut" Young, with planned release for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam.

The layoffs at Supermassive Games reflect a concerning trend in the industry. Recently, another British studio, The Chinese Room, also confirmed layoffs after an acquisition. These cuts add to those that occurred at Microsoft, affecting various gaming divisions, including studios like Rare, ZeniMax and The Initiative.

The series of layoffs at Supermassive Games and other British studios is a sign of growing instability in the gaming industry or a necessary adjustment phase?