Firaxis Games, the studio behind the Civilization franchise, has confirmed layoffs affecting an unspecified number of employees. This downsizing is part of a wider restructuring effort intended to optimize the studio’s development process for improved adaptability, collaboration, and creativity, according to publisher 2K.
The layoffs come in the wake of the release of Civilization 7 earlier this year, which received a mixed reception from players and critics alike. Common criticisms targeted the game's user interface and combat mechanics, with many expressing disappointment over missing or underdeveloped features. Despite these issues, 2K and Firaxis remain committed to updating and refining the game to meet community expectations.
The studio has recently made multiple patches and updates aimed at improving gameplay experience, including introducing larger maps despite concerns around hardware demands. Nevertheless, player engagement on platforms like Steam has lagged behind previous entries in the series, such as Civilization 6 and Civilization 5, which continue to maintain stronger concurrent player counts years after release.
This marks the second notable round of layoffs for Firaxis within the past two years, following a previous cut of about 30 employees in early 2023 as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy by parent company Take-Two Interactive. That restructuring coincided with disappointing sales of the 2022 release Marvel's Midnight Suns, despite its positive critical reception.
A former Firaxis writer, Emma Kidwell, publicly confirmed the layoffs on social media, highlighting that employees across production, narrative, and art departments were affected. Meanwhile, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has described Civilization 7 as a “slow burn” title whose lifetime sales are still expected to meet company projections, despite its slow start.
The layoffs at Firaxis reflect broader challenges in the gaming industry, where even established studios face pressure to innovate while managing costs during a period marked by economic uncertainty and changing player expectations. This environment has also rekindled discussions about workforce stability and unionization efforts among game developers seeking greater job security and improved working conditions.
As Firaxis focuses on further updates for Civilization 7, industry observers will be watching whether the franchise can regain momentum amid a more competitive and volatile market landscape. The studio also continues to hold interest in other franchises, such as the acclaimed but aged XCOM 2, though no announcements have been made regarding potential sequels or new projects.
In the meantime, Firaxis and 2K maintain confidence in the long-term prospects of the Civilization series, emphasizing its historical advantage as a franchise with enduring appeal and steady community engagement.
