British video game developer Supermassive Games has initiated a consultation process that could result in up to 75 job cuts, marking another wave of layoffs for the studio behind Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, according to an official statement published by the company on X. The studio stated that the restructuring is a necessary step to secure the long-term stability of the business amidst increasingly difficult market conditions.
The latest announcement compounds a turbulent period for the developer, which previously reduced its workforce by roughly 36 employees in July 2025. That earlier reduction coincided with a delay to the science-fiction horror title Directive 8020, which ultimately launched in May 2026 to a mixed critical reception resulting in a 72 rating on Metacritic. Executive changes accompanied these operational shifts, including the departure of CEO Robert Henrysson in June, who had led the firm since the beginning of 2024.
Supermassive Games built its reputation primarily on interactive horror titles. Until Dawn became a major success for PlayStation platforms and received a feature film adaptation earlier this year. Following that success, the studio expanded into episodic storytelling with The Dark Pictures Anthology—publishing its first four entries through Bandai Namco before taking on self-publishing duties for Directive 8020. Alongside its proprietary brands, the developer has collaborated with external partners on projects such as The Casting of Frank Stone with Behaviour Interactive and Little Nightmares III, as detailed by konsolowe.info.
Industry-Wide Pressures Fuel Ongoing Studio Restructuring
The potential layoffs at Supermassive Games reflect a broader, persistent trend of contraction across the video game industry. Over the past several years, prominent studios of varying sizes and critical legacies have implemented workforce reductions to combat rising costs and difficult market conditions.
While the company’s recent statement on X confirmed that management’s primary focus during the ongoing consultation will be supporting affected workers, it remains unclear how the structural changes will impact active projects currently in production. Player communities have also raised questions regarding post-launch updates for recent titles, such as a cooperative gameplay mode requested for Directive 8020 since its release, as reported by konsolowe.info, though the developer has not specified which departments or specific game teams face immediate cuts.
Leadership Transitions and Project Timelines
Leadership stability has proven challenging for the studio during its recent transitions. Robert Henrysson stepped down from his executive post citing a desire to devote more time to family and private investments, leaving the organization to navigate a complex operational landscape.
As the consultation period progresses, stakeholders and employees await further updates from studio management regarding the final headcount reduction and its precise operational scope. Readers seeking official statements and ongoing updates can monitor the official Supermassive Games profile on X.
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