Hi-Rez Studios Reportedly Laid Off “Dozens” From Smite Dev Team

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Summary

  • Hi-Rez Studios laid off nearly 30 Smite team members, impacting QA, Esports, and production departments.
  • Job cuts were not announced by Hi-Rez, leaving Smite’s future uncertain amidst continued layoffs.
  • Despite improvements in Smite 2, the latest round of layoffs adds to an already challenging year for game developers.

It appears that not everything is smooth sailing for the developers of Smite 2, as recent reports suggest that Hi-Rez Studios has let go of some team members who were working on its development.

Based on a report by Game Developer, it’s been reported that numerous members from the Smite development team are affected. These developers have expressed their situation publicly on various social media platforms.

Smite Development Team Hit With Job Cuts

To date, around 30 individuals working at Hi-Rez Studios have received termination notices, impacting multiple areas of their Smite division. From what’s been shared on a Reddit thread, employees from Quality Assurance, Esports, and Production departments have been let go.

It appears that Hi-Rez Studios has yet to release any statements concerning potential job reductions, and as of now, there is uncertainty surrounding the game’s future. The company did not respond to our request for comment on this issue when the article was first published.

By October 2024, Hi-Rez Studios had to let go of some employees as well. Teams responsible for cosmetics and systems in their multiple departments were impacted by this decision.

If you haven’t encountered Smite 2 before, let me fill you in. It’s the follow-up to Smite from 2014, a game that doesn’t cost anything to play. This multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) is designed using Unreal Engine 5 and can be enjoyed on both PC and gaming consoles.

Previously, we experienced a hands-on trial of Smite 2, which left me feeling that the follow-up game is essentially an upgraded version of Smite. The visual improvements are apparent, with characters having more detailed models, environments appearing sleeker, and the most striking enhancement being the addition of new effects for abilities.

The recent layoffs at Hi-Rez, although not officially confirmed yet, seem to be adding up significantly – and it’s only February.

It appears that the gaming industry is facing tough times early in the year. Ubisoft has announced the shutdown of one of its British studios, and Bandai Namco Entertainment has let go more than 100 employees without much fanfare. The number of jobs affected across the entire sector is mounting so rapidly that it’s becoming hard to keep track.

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2025-02-07 01:38