All articles tagged with #supermassive games
Supermassive Games has finalized a redundancy process resulting in the departure of more than 70 employees, including senior leadership and developers. The cuts, which began with a consultation in August, reduce the studio's workforce from over 400 to a significantly smaller number, marking a major contraction for the developer of 'Back 4 Blood' and 'State of Decay'.
Supermassive Games has laid off over 70 employees, a move announced less than six months after the release of its sci-fi horror title Directive 8020. The cuts, which include senior leadership and developers, follow a consultation process that began in August. The studio, known for interactive horror games like Until Dawn, is downsizing from a workforce of over 400 to ensure financial sustainability, despite recent efforts to patch in online multiplayer for its latest release.
Supermassive Games has finalized a redundancy process that resulted in the dismissal of more than 70 employees, including senior leadership and developers. The cuts, which began with a consultation in August, reduce the studio's workforce from over 400 to a significantly smaller number, marking a major contraction for the developer of 'Back 4 Blood' and 'State of Decay'.
Supermassive Games, the UK studio behind Until Dawn and Little Nightmares 3, disclosed a new redundancy consultation that could cut up to 75 jobs, marking the third layoff round in two years as it restructures to stay viable amid shifting industry conditions; the company says the move is necessary for sustainability and will support affected staff.
Supermassive Games has announced a third wave of layoffs affecting up to 75 positions at its Guildford studio, saying the cuts are a necessary step to sustain the company. This follows July’s 36-role reduction tied to delaying Directive 8020, and the firm had previously affected around 90 staff in February 2024, with management pledging support for those impacted and a renewed focus on core strengths and upcoming titles.
Supermassive Games’ sci-fi horror adventure Directive 8020 is available on PS5 via the PlayStation Store. Players control the Cassiopeia crew as they confront an alien that can mimic crew members, forcing players to discern who’s human. The Standard Edition costs $49.99, and the game has drawn solid early notices, with a Metacritic around 72 and an 8/10 score from PlayStation Lifestyle in their review.
Early reviews for Directive 8020 on Xbox praise its space setting, improved visuals, stealth elements, and stronger storytelling, while critics note pacing and some missed opportunities. With a Metacritic of 72 and OpenCritic 76 at the time of writing, the game launches for Xbox Series X|S on May 12 and is widely viewed as the best entry yet in The Dark Pictures, though still polarizing among fans.
Directive 8020 on PS5 aims to blend Alien-like suspense with The Thing–style mistrust and a rewindable, branching narrative, but despite a handful of tense moments and late-game twists, the dull ship setting, bland characters, and overly simple stealth reduce the experience to a disappointing 5/10 with replayability that doesn’t quite justify the effort.
Supermassive Games' standalone PS5 horror-adventure Directive 8020 arrives May 12, 2026 on the PS Store for $49.99, with a Digital Deluxe preorder upgrade that adds The Dark Pictures outfits, collectibles, a Cinematic Filter Pack, digital artbook, and an exclusive soundtrack; the title was announced in 2022 as part of The Dark Pictures' second season but is now a stand-alone entry.
A hands-on preview of Directive 8020, Supermassive Games’ space-horror that leans into interactive-movie storytelling. In a crisis aboard the Cassiopeia, Brianna faces claustrophobic tunnels and a brutal eye-sequence; you can rewind and replay choices, testing different outcomes while the core moments stay true. The demo showcases polished Unreal Engine 5 visuals and strong performances, positioning Directive 8020 as a return to the tense, consequence-driven horror of Until Dawn and The Quarry. It releases May 12 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Behaviour Interactive has announced that the Dead by Daylight spinoff, The Casting of Frank Stone, developed by Supermassive Games, will be released on September 3, 2024. The game, which features a narrative-driven horror experience, will have players making choices that determine the fate of multiple characters. A new trailer and details about the game were also revealed.
Behaviour Interactive and Supermassive Games announced that the single-player cinematic horror game "The Casting of Frank Stone" will launch on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. Available in standard and Deluxe editions, the game offers unique features and exclusive rewards for Dead by Daylight players. Pre-orders are now open.
Bandai Namco and Supermassive Games have delayed the release of Little Nightmares III from 2024 to 2025 to ensure the game meets quality standards. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The development team emphasized their commitment to delivering a high-quality experience and thanked fans for their patience. Further updates are expected later this summer.
The Quarry, a narrative horror adventure game, has been added to Xbox Game Pass, allowing subscribers to experience a murder-filled evening of partying and survival. Developed by Supermassive Games, the game puts players in control of a group of teenage counselors at a summer camp, facing murderous locals and darker forces. With 40 achievements and estimated 50 hours of gameplay, it offers a cinematic horror story with choices that impact the outcome. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can also stream it via Xbox Cloud Gaming, and upcoming Game Pass additions include Diablo IV, Evil West, and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged.
Supermassive Games, the developer behind popular titles like Until Dawn and Little Nightmares III, is laying off roughly 90 employees, constituting a 30% reduction in staff. This adds to a series of layoffs in the gaming industry, totaling more than 5,500 in the first two months of 2024. The industry has been facing significant challenges, with companies like Microsoft, Embracer Group, and Riot Games also announcing layoffs. These job cuts are part of a larger trend of layoffs in the gaming industry, with over 10,000 people laid off last year, and the effects are expected to be felt for years to come.