A little less than a month after the launch of its Titanfall-inspired shooter, Empulse, 1047 Games has reportedly undergone another round of layoffs. While the studio has not issued a formal statement regarding these cuts, several employees have taken to LinkedIn to share their experiences, with one describing the situation as “the third wave of studio layoffs.” The initial reports of job losses at 1047 began circulating last week, prompting QA director Igor Krinitskiy to reflect on the journey, stating, “A bunch of us, ‘the crew’ aboard the 1047 train, are getting off on this post-Empulse station. It has been an interesting ride, bumpy at times, narrowly avoiding derailment and with everyone working hard to keep that 1047 train going.”
Concept artist Jonathan Kuo also confirmed his departure, noting, “As of the end of this week, it will be my last day at 1047 Games due to the third wave of studio layoffs.”
Challenges Following Initial Success
1047 Games initially gained traction with its hit title, Splitgate: Arena Warfare, a unique blend of ‘Halo with portals’ that captivated players and led to a substantial 0 million funding round in 2021. The studio’s aspirations to become “the next Riot Games” seemed within reach. However, subsequent projects have struggled to replicate that success. The release of Splitgate 2 was met with challenges, resulting in a rollback shortly after launch and subsequent layoffs. The title was later rebranded as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, yet it has failed to attract a player base comparable to its predecessor.
Empulse, which was announced earlier this year, initially garnered positive feedback but has not achieved significant player engagement. Unlike Splitgate, which operates on a free-to-play model, Empulse comes with a price tag, likely contributing to its lower player counts. Reports indicate that concurrent player numbers on Steam have dipped below 1,000, raising concerns about the game’s longevity.
Studio CEO Ian Proulx previously expressed a philosophy focused on gradual growth rather than immediate success, stating in 2025, “the goal is to grow over time, not aim for a massive splash on day one.” This approach will be crucial for the future of Empulse and, by extension, the studio itself.
Efforts to reach out to 1047 Games for further comment on the recent layoffs have been made, and updates will be provided if a response is received.
