The continued wave of layoffs within the online game business continues with Hi-Rez Studios, the developer of the Smite video games, asserting it is going to be letting go of an unspecified variety of staff. The layoffs come shortly after Hi-Rez launched MOBA sequel Smite 2 in paid early entry.
By way of PC Gamer, Hi-Rez hasn’t specified how many individuals can be impacted by the layoffs, however mentioned that they may have an effect on all elements of the corporate. “It will disproportionately affect these in advertising and publishing roles, in addition to some from our Evil Mojo, G&A, and Titan Forge divisions,” Hi-Rez CEO Stewart Chisam said on X. Solely small groups can be left to assist Smite and Paladins, whereas the corporate shifts its main focus to Smite 2.
“The sport staff roles impacted disproportionally have an effect on our staff engaged on beauty pores and skin content material and system options.” Chisam mentioned, including that growth on Smite 2 will concentrate on gameplay over new cosmetics. “We’re nearly completely prioritizing gameplay growth within the close to term–such as new modes and gods–as nicely as high quality improvements–over some beauty and monetization options beforehand deliberate within the run-up to the sport’s free-to-play launch subsequent yr.”
Chisam notes that there’s nonetheless a big staff engaged on Smite 2 regardless of the layoffs, saying that the dev staff is bigger than the one which labored on the unique Smite by means of most of its life cycle. “Our purpose for Smite 2 within the close to time period is to create the absolute best recreation expertise for our group and a recreation that gives pleasure to gamers and might maintain itself lengthy into the 2030s.”
“This information has an actual human affect at a tricky time for staff on this business,” Chisam mentioned in his submit. “Every impacted particular person is a proficient and devoted skilled who has poured their coronary heart and soul into our video games. Letting them go is a heartbreaking choice, displays a failure in my management, and one for which I take private accountability.”
The final yr has been a troublesome one for staff within the video games business, with tens of 1000’s of layoffs reported throughout 2023 and 2024, and they aren’t slowing down. August noticed each Ubisoft and Bungie reducing workers, whereas Microsoft laid off one other 650 folks from its gaming division in September. Former Sony govt Chris Deering got here below fireplace for his feedback on latest rounds of layoffs after he advised impacted staff ought to drive an Uber.