Firaxis Games Hit by Layoffs, Dozens from Civilization VII Team Let Go

Firaxis Games, the legendary studio behind the Civilization franchise, has become the latest victim of sweeping layoffs within the gaming industry. Publisher 2K confirmed the job cuts but declined to specify how many developers were impacted.

However, sources speaking to Game Developer reported that the number reaches into the dozens, making this a significant restructuring effort.

According to 2K, the layoffs are part of a strategy to ‘restructure and optimize’ Firaxis for what the company describes as greater adaptability, collaboration, and creativity. These terms, often repeated during corporate downsizing, highlight the difficult balance between business sustainability and preserving creative talent. Unfortunately, this wave of cuts follows a familiar pattern across Take-Two Interactive’s studios, with BioShock developer Cloud Chamber having laid off around 80 staff only weeks earlier.

Some of the individuals affected are notable contributors to recent and upcoming titles. Award-winning writer Emma Kidwell, who worked on narrative elements for Civilization VII as well as Marvel’s Midnight Suns (writing for characters like Deadpool and Storm), shared her situation on LinkedIn, calling herself ‘an incredibly adaptable writer.’ Others include lead character artist Matthew Davis, producer Maya H., senior QA specialist Logan Blackwood, and artist Daniella Zeman, all of whom have publicly confirmed their departures. The departures have raised concerns about the stability of ongoing projects, including Civilization VII, which already faced mixed reactions from long-time fans.

Players have been vocal about their frustrations with the state of Civilization VII, pointing to issues with the user interface, overall design choices, and perceived missteps in gameplay direction. Many believe Firaxis lost touch with its fanbase, driving some strategy enthusiasts toward alternatives like Old World and Humankind, games that carry the spirit of classic Civilization while trying new approaches. Dissenting voices online also connect these layoffs with broader industry trends, criticizing companies for catering to trends or social signals rather than focusing on creating deeply engaging games that core audiences want.

With layoffs now striking multiple Take-Two studios in succession, the industry continues to face questions about sustainability, project management, and whether restructuring can truly deliver the ‘creativity’ publishers promise. For Firaxis, the road ahead will depend on how well the studio manages to rally its remaining talent while trying to reassure fans awaiting the next big chapter in the Civilization saga.