Supermassive Games cuts 75 staff following Directive 8020 response

The world of interactive horror is currently navigating some difficult waters, as Supermassive Games has confirmed its third round of staff reductions, impacting up to 75 employees. This latest shakeup marks a significant period of change for the studio, signaling a necessary adjustment for the company’s future sustainability.

In a statement released publicly, Supermassive addressed the decision, framing the action as a “necessary step” involving a redundancy consultation process. While acknowledging that this is an incredibly challenging time for the team, the studio emphasized its commitment to providing support for all employees who are impacted by these changes.

Supermassive Games has long carved out a distinct niche in the global gaming landscape, building its reputation from its founding in Guildford, U.K., back in 2008. The company is globally recognized for creating compelling horror experiences, with titles like Until Dawn laying the groundwork for the hugely successfulThe Dark Pictures Anthology.

Despite this established legacy, the studio is continually working to evolve its portfolio. Their recent focus has been on expanding their anthology series, most recently launching Directive 8020. While this title received positive reviews for its polished visuals and improved gameplay from outlets like IGN, it continues to generate a mixed response among players on platforms like Steam.

The history of Supermassive’s workforce has seen several adjustments: the company previously reduced staff in February 2024, and again in July 2025, demonstrating an ongoing effort to manage operational costs. This latest round of cuts brings the total employee count down considerably from the approximately 350 staff employed in 2023.

The challenge for Supermassive now lies in balancing creative vision with market reception. While their foundation is built on classic horror experiences, recent projects, including sequels and spin-offs like Little Nightmares 3 and the Dead by Daylight spinoff, have received a more lukewarm response from the community.

As the studio looks toward the future, they must navigate these operational changes while continuing to develop new concepts. Currently, Supermassive Games has not announced any new major projects publicly, leaving the narrative focused on internal restructuring and the ongoing journey of their unique horror universe.