Third Wave of Layoffs at Supermassive Games — How Much Can Workers Really Take?
Supermassive Games just announced layoffs affecting up to 75 employees. This isn't just a number — it comes after 90 people were let go in 2024, and before that another round in 2023. Bottom line: the studio that gave us Until Dawn and is working on Little Nightmares 3 is in real crisis.
The studio justified the decision with one word: "sustainability." But honestly? That word's starting to mean nothing. If you're laying off 75 here and 90 there every single year in the name of sustainability — something's fundamentally broken. Either the financial model is busted, or management's betting on projects that just aren't delivering. I'm betting it's both.
What really gets to me is the message this sends to whoever's left. How are you supposed to focus on making a high-quality game when you know your job could be next on the chopping block? The quality of Directive 8020 wasn't exactly exceptional — and honestly, that pretty much says everything you need to know about the studio's recent performance.
Is Little Nightmares 3 in Danger?
The question every player's asking right now: what about Little Nightmares 3? The studio hasn't commented specifically on the game's status, but when you're cutting a huge chunk of staff — especially from your dev team — you have to expect delays or quality compromises. I'm not predicting cancellation, but I'm definitely predicting delays.
Bottom Line: When Does the Industry Stop Hemorrhaging?
This isn't just a Supermassive story — it's a painful snapshot of the gaming industry right now. Big studios expand fast, greenlight ambitious projects, then realize the numbers don't match reality. And the victims? Always the employees who lose their jobs without mercy.
My advice: If you love Supermassive games, enjoy what you've got now. Don't expect rapid releases or ambitious new projects anytime soon. The studio's in survival mode, and that's going to impact everything they put out for years to come.
