layoffs Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Epic Games is killing three popular Fortnite game modes after laying off 1,000 employees

Epic Games has announced the discontinuation of three modes from Fortnite: Rocket Racing, which will be removed in October 2026; Ballistic, which will be taken offline on April 16, 2026; and Battle Stage, also ceasing operations on April 16, 2026. This decision follows the layoff of over 1,000 employees due to a decline in player engagement since 2025. CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the downturn in Fortnite engagement has led to increased spending and the need for major cuts to keep the company funded.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

I crashed out reading layoff condolence letters in this shop sim about a laid-off adventurer made by a laid-off Xbox developer

In Dungeon Bodega Simulator, players are greeted with a message reflecting on job loss and resilience. Solo developer Alien Fruit, previously at Turn 10 Studios, experienced layoffs and the emotional toll that comes with it. Harrison, the creator of the game, struggles with imposter syndrome after being laid off and acknowledges the impact of job loss on identity. He is currently working on Dungeon Bodega Simulator as a way to navigate the indie market while also holding an entry-level QA position to manage finances. Harrison expresses a desire to find another role in systems or gameplay design, valuing teamwork and collaboration in his career.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

There’s a new Payday game coming later this year, and it’s VR

Starbreeze is launching a virtual reality game titled Payday: Aces High, part of the Payday franchise, developed by Fast Travel Games. The game features co-op multiplayer for up to four players and allows for solo play. Players assume the roles of elite bank robbers in chaotic heists, maintaining the series' elements of planning and teamwork. Payday: Aces High is set to release in the third quarter of 2026, specifically between July 1 and September 30, and will be available exclusively for Meta Quest and SteamVR headsets. Starbreeze's CEO stated that this game is part of a strategy to expand the Payday franchise through new formats. The studio is currently facing challenges, including issues with Payday 3 and layoffs, while the success of Aces High remains uncertain amid a reevaluation of VR investments in the industry.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

As key Lost Ark devs leave, Amazon Games says “trust is earned through actions, not words”

The Amazon Games team responsible for Lost Ark has experienced significant departures, including community manager Roxanne Sabo and producer 'Hardcore' Henry Stelter. Sabo expressed her pride in her work with the community, while Stelter reflected on his journey with the game. A statement on the Lost Ark global website acknowledged these departures and emphasized the importance of community feedback, citing a recent survey of over 11,000 players. The future of Lost Ark remains uncertain, especially following the Ends of the Abyss update, with plans outlined only through April. Smilegate continues to be the primary developer, and there is potential for another publisher to take over if Amazon Games withdraws.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

Blizzard vet Rob Pardo closed this year’s GDC keynote by urging executives to cool it with the layoffs: ‘The game team is more valuable than the game itself’

Rob Pardo, former chief creative officer of Blizzard, spoke at the Game Developers Conference about the unpredictability of creating hit games and the importance of retaining successful developers. He highlighted a concerning trend in the industry where studios lay off developers after successful game launches, citing the example of Battlefield 6 selling 7 million copies in three days. Pardo emphasized that a successful game is often the result of a strong development team that has navigated challenges and adapted throughout the creation process. He urged industry executives to value and nurture their teams, as they are crucial to the game's success.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

PC Ports of PlayStation Games Aren’t Selling Well, Sony Pulls the Plug

Sony has decided to stop porting PlayStation games to PC, maintaining exclusivity for upcoming titles like "Marvel's Wolverine" and "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet." This decision follows underwhelming sales of previous PC ports and is influenced by challenges in the PC industry. Existing titles confirmed for PC, such as "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach," will not be affected. Additionally, the anticipated launch of the PS6 has been delayed to 2028 or 2029, and Sony has closed BluePoint Games, resulting in layoffs.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 10, 2026

“A New Chapter of Horror”: Supermassive’s Directive 8020 Arrives on PC and Consoles in May 2026

Supermassive Games has announced that their narrative-driven horror adventure, Directive 8020, will be released on May 12, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-orders are now available for PS5 and Xbox Series, with Steam pre-orders coming soon. The game was initially announced in 2024 after being hinted at in 2022, and its release was delayed from October 2025 due to layoffs at Supermassive. The last showcase of Directive 8020 took place at Gamescom 2025, where it was noted for its real-time threats and enhanced graphics.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Amazon Games boss Hartmann reportedly leaving as firm retreats from PC and console

Christoph Hartmann, head of Amazon Game Studios, is leaving the company, which is shifting its focus from PC and console gaming to prioritize its Luna cloud streaming service. This change coincides with Amazon's layoffs affecting approximately 16,000 roles, following a previous round of 14,000 layoffs in October 2025. The gaming division may face challenges due to this strategic pivot, and significant reductions have already occurred in Amazon's gaming operations. The project New World Aeternum is scheduled to go offline in January 2027. Hartmann joined Amazon in 2018 and has over two decades of experience from 2K Games.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Ubisoft’s game cancellation announcement leads to sinking share prices

Ubisoft shares have fallen by as much as 35% after the cancellation of six upcoming games and the restructuring of the company, which includes layoffs and the closure of two studios.