Summary

  • Hi-Rez Studios conducted undisclosed job cuts across subsidiaries to ensure Smite 2's long-term success.
  • CEO Stewart Chisam announced layoffs affecting teams from various departments and prioritizing Smite 2 resources.
  • Focus on Smite 2 development and future longevity prompts layoffs in uncertain industry climate.

Smite creator Hi-Rez Studios has conducted an undisclosed number of job cuts across its multiple different subsidiaries. Alacrity Arthouse, Evil Mojo Games, and Red Beard Games are some of the in-house studios owned by Hi-Rez Studios.

Tens of thousands of employees in the game industry have lost their jobs over the past few years, with companies undergoing restructuring to cut costs amid an economic downturn. The layoff wave has swept through big names like Bungie, a first-party Sony studio, as well as impacted smaller indies like Tales of Kenzera: Zau developer Surgent Studios. Certain worse-hit organizations, such as Ubisoft, have faced job cuts more than once during this period. In a new development, Hi-Rez Studios became the latest victim of what has been an uncertain time for the industry.

Smite 2's Bellona next to a silhouette of a mystery character
Smite 2 Reveals The Next Two Gods Coming to the Game [EXCLUSIVE]

In a recent interview with The Best War Games, Hi-Rez Studios announced the first two gods to be added to Smite 2 since its 24/7 alpha launched.

By 

In a Twitter post, Hi-Rez Studios CEO Stewart Chisam announced that an undisclosed number of employees at Hi-Rez Studios are set to be sacked. They revealed that "some team members" from Hi-Rez's subsidiaries, including Evil Mojo Games, Titan Forge Games, and G&A, would be affected. Chisam stated that the company's latest moves are "difficult but necessary changes" and are being made with new MOBA game Smite 2's "long sustainable future" in mind. Highlighting that the decision doesn't target any particular department, Chisam underlined that members across marketing, publishing, and dev roles would bear the brunt of this move. The studio exec specified that the laid-off employees are from the "game team" that typically deal with cosmetic skins and system features.

Hi-Rez Studios Joins the List of Studios Conducting Layoffs

With Chisam's announcement, Hi-Rez Studios has become yet another game company to let go of its employees this year, joining studios like Insomniac Games, Ubisoft Toronto, Gearbox, and more. Taking ownership, the CEO stressed that the "heartbreaking decision" was a product of "a failure in my leadership" rather than a fault of those affected. Further explaining the motive behind the layoffs, they revealed that Hi-Rez intends to put most of its resources into Smite 2, which is still in early access, followed by "small teams supporting light updates" for the developer's other games, namely Smite and Paladins.

Chisam specified that the core team currently working on Smite 2 is "larger than the Smite 1 team was throughout most of its lifecycle." Finally, the Hi-Rez lead said that, with Smite 2, the studio wants to "create the best possible game experience" with hopes for the game's longevity to cross "long into the 2030s." They added that the devs are working to improve the migration process for Smite 1 Gods to Smite 2 and looking to meet "player expectations" in this regard.

With another studio announcing layoffs, the industry seems to be enduring one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. This trend, together with the increasing number of big-budget titles like Star Wars: Outlaws and Concord failing to meet expectations, make the times even more testing for studios. At this point, when the layoff wave will eventually slow down is anyone's guess.

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SMITE 2 Tag Page Cover Art

SMITE 2
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MOBA
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Released
August 27, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Titan Forge Games
Publisher(s)
Hi-Rez Studios
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Franchise
Smite
Early Access Release
August 27, 2024
PS5 Release Date
January 14, 2025
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Fight as a God

Choose your God from across mythology and wield unique godly abilities. Hurl bolts of lightning as Zeus, master the arcane powers of death as Anubis, or backstab your foes as Loki.

The Third-Person Action MOBA

No other game offers combat that feels like your favorite hero shooter, crossed with the deep strategy you can only find in a 5v5 MOBA. Feel the impact of every shot, sneak up on enemies, and combo abilities with teammates to take down the enemy Titan.

Plays Great Everywhere

SMITE 2 is the only MOBA designed from the start to play amazingly on keyboard and mouse, controller, or SteamDeck. SMITE 2 features full cross-play and cross-progression, so you can play with friends regardless of platform and take your unlocks with you from PC to console.

Minutes to Learn, a Lifetime to Master

SMITE 2 is the easiest MOBA to start playing, with features like auto-build and auto-level so you focus on fighting. But the full depth of MOBA gameplay awaits, letting you find your own path to victory across item building, map control, tactical brilliance, or simply outplaying your foes. Compete in a variety of game modes, including Ranked, where you’ll climb the leaderboards and become a true god in the SMITE 2 community.
 

Genre(s)
MOBA