Context of Layoffs

Supermassive Games, a studio recognized for its interactive horror titles, has announced significant staff reductions, letting go of more than 70 employees shortly after the release of Directive 8020. This change was confirmed by the studio’s IT head, Frank Tindle, who was also among those laid off.

In a post on LinkedIn, Tindle shared his journey with the company, which he joined in 2010 as part of the IT department. He expressed pride in the growth of the studio from a small team to a workforce exceeding 400 individuals. “I leave as IT & Facilities Director and a member of the Senior Leadership Team,” he noted, highlighting the talented individuals he worked alongside during his tenure.

Details of the Layoffs

Tindle underscored the caliber of the departing employees, stating that they included “developers, artists, producers, QA, operations and more,” and he encouraged potential employers to reach out for introductions. His acknowledgment of the team members reflects the overall sentiment of loss within the studio as it undergoes this restructuring.

Game Releases and Reception

Supermassive Games is best known for its titles that allow player choices to influence the narrative, with notable releases such as The Quarry (2022), The Casting of Frank Stone (2024), and various entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology. Despite a dedicated fanbase, these games have generally received mixed reviews rather than universal acclaim.

Directive 8020 was touted as showcasing some of the studio’s most gripping horror moments. However, it faced criticism for issues such as poor writing and the absence of online co-op features—a shortcoming the studio has acknowledged and plans to address with a patch scheduled for release in October, nearly five months after the game’s initial launch.

Looking Ahead

The layoffs come on the heels of a warning issued by Supermassive in August, indicating that these decisions were necessary to maintain the sustainability of the business. Excitingly, the studio’s highly regarded title, Until Dawn, is set to receive a sequel in 2027; however, it has been announced that development of this project will be conducted by the PlayStation studio Firesprite, rather than internally at Supermassive Games.