Dreamhaven Faces Layoffs Shortly After Wildgate Launch

Dreamhaven, the independent publisher founded by former Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Morhaime, has confirmed a round of layoffs less than two months after launching its ambitious PvP shooter Wildgate.

The news surfaced when Morhaime addressed the situation on LinkedIn, acknowledging the departure of several staff members and describing the moment as bittersweet for a company that has only recently begun building its identity in the crowded gaming market.

According to Morhaime, the cuts primarily affected Dreamhaven’s publishing team, which had been instrumental in everything from organizing the Dreamhaven Showcase to coordinating the launch of multiple projects in 2025. He praised those departing as “talented colleagues” whose contributions were central to establishing Dreamhaven’s foundation during what he described as an “eventful year.” He emphasized his gratitude for their creativity and commitment, remarking that the company would deeply miss their presence as it moves forward.

While the loss of staff is always concerning, Morhaime was quick to reassure that Dreamhaven’s overall mission remains steady. He reaffirmed optimism about the studio’s future, stressing that the vision for publishing bold and distinctive games is unchanged despite the setback. This reassurance is particularly important as Wildgate continues to develop its community base following its July 22 release. The game, developed by Moonshot – a team of former Blizzard veterans and Sea of Thieves alumni – is designed to mix fast-paced first-person shooting with large-scale ship-to-ship encounters, a blend that has drawn both curiosity and comparisons.

Early previews of Wildgate captured attention, with Wccftech’s Alessio Palumbo calling it “a blast of fun,” noting its Blizzard-inspired visual flair while likening its gameplay to a sci-fi twist on Rare’s Sea of Thieves. This duality of boots-on-the-ground action and naval combat has been highlighted as the game’s signature identity, one that may determine how it fares in a competitive landscape increasingly dominated by live-service shooters.

The layoffs, while unfortunate, underscore the challenges faced by even well-funded startups in the gaming industry. For Dreamhaven, a publisher positioning itself as a haven for creative independence, the move illustrates the balancing act of sustaining ambitious projects while managing resources. The future of Wildgate and Dreamhaven’s wider catalog will now be watched closely as the company strives to prove that its vision can weather early turbulence and still deliver innovative experiences to players worldwide.