Smite Developer Hi-Rez Studios Is The Next Studio Holding Layoffs

As a long-time gamer and follower of the gaming industry, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs, but the recent news about Hi-Rez Studios layoffs has hit me hard. I’ve played Smite for years, and the thought of fewer team members working on its sequel leaves me feeling a bit hollow.

Hi-Res Studios, responsible for creating games like Smite and Smite 2, are set to carry out layoffs this year, following a series of similar actions by other studios.

The news was shared through a tweet from Hi-Rez CEO Stewart Chisam. In his detailed post, he explained that the move to let go of certain employees is aimed at ensuring the longevity and sustainability of SMITE 2.

Today, Chisam announced that we’ll be implementing challenging yet vital adjustments to guarantee Hi-Rez Studios’ continued prosperity, primarily by strategically planning for SMITE 2’s lasting growth and viability.

Chisam indicated that a significant number of employees in marketing, publishing roles, as well as those working for the Evil Mojo, G&A, and Titan Forge sections of the company, would be affected by the “internal restructuring” and shift in priorities. He used the term “disproportionately” to emphasize the impact on these specific positions.

He also said that the layoffs show a “failure” in his leadership at the company.

As a fellow gamer and someone deeply involved in this industry, I can’t help but feel the weight of this news on a personal level. It affects real people – skilled, passionate professionals who have invested their time, energy, and creativity into crafting the games we love. Making these tough decisions is never easy, but it’s clear that it’s a reflection of my leadership abilities falling short. I own up to this failure, as it’s not just a business decision, but one with real human implications.

Why The Hi-Rez Layoffs Now?

Chisam indicates that the job cuts are a result of an in-depth evaluation of the company’s overall direction. The plan is to pour all resources into the progression of Smite 2, with minimal teams continuing to maintain the initial Smite and Paladins. He further explains that the development team for Smite 2 is currently larger than the original Smite team.

It’s worth mentioning that, following these adjustments, the development team responsible for Smite 2 remains quite large. In fact, it surpasses the size of the Smite 1 team during most of its active years (except for a brief period during and immediately after the pandemic). Moreover, the group focusing on god creation and gameplay elements is larger than the Smite 1 team has ever been in terms of such aspects.

Chisam closed his statement saying that that he believed the changes were necessary albeit difficult, and that the company will “emerge stronger from them”.

Over a span of the first nine months in 2024, approximately 13,000 jobs within the gaming sector were reported to have been eliminated, affecting around 150 different companies.

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