XCOM And Civilization Developer Firaxis Games Hit With Layoffs

Firaxis Games is the latest video game studio to be hit with layoffs. The studio is known for games such as XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns.

In a statement, a Firaxis spokesperson said it was due to a "sharpening of focus, enhancements of efficiencies, and an alignment of our talent against our highest priorities." According to Axios, about 30 employees were eliminated from their positions.

Earlier this year, Midnight Suns creative director Jake Solomon and Firaxis studio head Steve Martin left the studio. While Martin didn't comment on his departure, Solomon said that he was moving on to something creatively new. Furthermore, Midnight Suns didn't sell well despite good reviews, and the Nintendo Switch version was recently canceled.

As for what Firaxis' future holds, the studio is currently working on a new Civilization game, but no new XCOM game is in the works right now.

Firaxis isn't the only studio this month to lay off employees. In just May 2023 alone, Relic Entertainment, Ubisoft, Unity, and Brace Yourself Games have cut back their development teams.