Supermassive Games, known for its interactive horror titles, has conducted a substantial round of layoffs, with over 70 employees being let go. This downsizing comes less than six months after the studio released its sci-fi horror game, Directive 8020, earlier this year.
Frank Tindle, who served as IT & Facilities Director and was a member of the Senior Leadership Team, confirmed the departures on LinkedIn. He noted that the studio had grown significantly during his tenure, from a small team to over 400 people. Tindle stated that the departing individuals included developers, artists, producers, QA personnel, and operations staff, and expressed that any studio would be fortunate to hire them.
Supermassive Games has a history of developing choice-driven horror experiences, including titles such as The Quarry (2022), The Casting of Frank Stone (2024), and The Dark Pictures Anthology. While these games have cultivated an audience among horror fans, they have not consistently achieved widespread critical acclaim or commercial success.
Directive 8020 received mixed reviews on Steam. While it featured some of the studio's more compelling horror elements, it was criticized for its writing and the initial absence of online co-op. The studio recently announced that online multiplayer would be added via a patch in October, nearly five months after the game's initial launch.
The company had previously signaled the possibility of layoffs in August, with a statement indicating that it was a necessary measure to ensure the company's sustainability. Supermassive's most recognized title, Until Dawn, is slated for a sequel in 2027, though development of this PlayStation franchise has been handled by the internal Sony studio Firesprite, not Supermassive.