Firaxis Games Implements Layoffs as Civilization VII Faces Challenges
Firaxis Games, the studio behind the popular Civilization and XCOM series, has reportedly undergone another round of layoffs. While publisher 2K Games did not disclose specific numbers, reports indicate that the affected employees include veterans of the Civilization franchise and developers who worked on Marvel’s Midnight Suns.
The news first emerged through posts from former employees, including writer Emma Kidwell, who had contributed to both Sid Meier’s Civilization VII and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Other former staff members soon followed with similar announcements, confirming the studio's downsizing.
2K Games later released an official statement regarding the situation: “Today, Firaxis Games experienced a reduction in staff as the studio reorganizes and optimizes processes for agility, collaboration, and creativity.” However, the publisher refrained from providing further details about the scope of the layoffs.
A significant factor contributing to these organizational changes appears to be the lukewarm reception of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. The game currently holds a “mixed” review status on Steam, and its active player count has been steadily declining. Notably, Civilization VII lags significantly behind its predecessors, Civilization VI and even the nearly 15-year-old Civilization V, in terms of concurrent players.
These recent struggles compound previous setbacks for Firaxis. Despite receiving high critical acclaim, Marvel’s Midnight Suns underperformed commercially, leading to the cancellation of some planned content. The studio also experienced a wave of layoffs in 2023. Furthermore, despite persistent hopes from fans for a new XCOM title, a project focused on combating alien invaders has yet to be announced.
Despite the current challenges, 2K Games insists that it remains committed to the future of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. “2K and Firaxis are committed to realizing the potential of Civilization VII and continue to actively work on updates and patches to ensure the game meets player expectations. The Civilization series has always been about long-term opportunities, and we remain confident in its future,” stated 2K Games.
This latest round of layoffs highlights the pressures facing even established game studios in a competitive market. As Firaxis restructures, players will be watching closely to see how the studio's commitment to improving Civilization VII translates into tangible updates and whether this strategy helps the game overcome its initial difficulties and fulfill the series' long-standing legacy.
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