Firaxis Games, the development studio behind the newly released Civilization VII, is facing layoffs. This news surfaced when a former employee shared her job loss via LinkedIn. The situation was later reported by Game Developer, followed by a confirmation from the game’s publisher, 2K Games.
A spokesperson from 2K Games stated, “We can confirm there was a staff reduction today at Firaxis Games, as the studio restructures and optimizes its development process for adaptability, collaboration, and creativity.” However, the company has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected.
Both of Firaxis’s most recent titles, 2022’s Marvel’s Midnight Suns and 2025’s Civilization VII, experienced a tepid reception in terms of initial sales and player engagement.
Upon its release, Civilization VII was met with criticism for various bugs and user interface issues, as well as significant changes to the franchise’s established formula, alienating some long-time fans. In response to player feedback, Firaxis has begun issuing patches to address these controversial alterations.
Currently, Civilization VII has not performed as well as its predecessors, Civilization VI and Civilization V, in terms of active users on Steam and viewership on Twitch.
It is essential to recognize that these metrics do not paint a complete picture. Civilization VII also launched on several other platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Game Store, which do not contribute to Steam’s user statistics. Moreover, the viewership on Twitch may not accurately reflect the game’s sales figures or player base.
Determining a direct correlation between the layoffs and the game’s performance remains challenging.
Just a month ago, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick indicated that despite the game’s “slow start,” he maintains that “Civ has always been a slow burn.” He also noted that the projections for the game’s long-term performance align with the company’s initial expectations.
Numerous examples have emerged of studios and publishers initiating layoffs across teams connected to both successful and less successful games. This trend reflects the industry’s ongoing adjustments following a period of rapid hiring prompted by the pandemic, along with the pressures of inflation, increased borrowing costs, global economic uncertainty, trade challenges, escalating development expenses, and demands for greater efficiency.
