Supermassive Games Confirms Layoffs of 36 Employees, Pushes Directive 8020 Release to 2026
Supermassive Games has officially confirmed the layoff of 36 employees in a restructuring move aimed at adapting to current industry conditions. The studio announced the decision via a statement on its official X account, expressing deep regret over the difficult move while emphasizing its commitment to supporting those affected. The statement reads, “This decision was not taken lightly, and we know this will be an incredibly difficult time for everyone. Our absolute priority will be to offer full support to all those affected.”
These latest cuts follow a previous downsizing in February 2024, when the studio laid off roughly a third of its workforce, citing similarly challenging circumstances across the video game industry. The ongoing instability appears to have necessitated further structural changes at the acclaimed studio behind titles such as Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology, and The Quarry.
As part of the announcement, Supermassive also confirmed that Directive 8020, one of the studio’s highly anticipated upcoming titles, will not meet its previously announced launch date of October 2, 2025. The game has now been delayed to the first half of 2026. First revealed at Gamescom 2024 as the next installment in The Dark Pictures series and its first entry in Season Two, Directive 8020 is expected to blend the studio’s signature cinematic horror with a sci-fi twist.
Supermassive stated, “The response to the game so far has been fantastic, and this additional time will help us deliver the very best experience for our fans. We’re deeply grateful for the patience and support of our community.”
While the delay of Directive 8020 represents a significant change in the studio’s release roadmap, Supermassive was quick to clarify that development on Little Nightmares III remains unaffected. That title, co-developed with Bandai Namco Europe, is still set to release on October 10, 2025. It received only a brief mention at the end of the announcement, but the studio confirmed that the layoffs “have no impact on the development of Little Nightmares III.”
Supermassive Games’ restructuring and shifting timeline echo wider industry trends seen throughout 2024 and 2025, as many studios continue to adjust to a more volatile economic and production landscape. For fans eagerly awaiting Directive 8020, the extra development time may result in a more polished, refined experience that builds on the studio’s legacy of narrative-driven horror storytelling.
What are your thoughts on Directive 8020’s delay and the recent restructuring at Supermassive Games? Share your opinions in the comments.
