Supermassive Games Begins Redundancy Consultation Process, Up to 75 Layoffs Expected

The studio behind Directive 8020 and Little Nightmares 3 calls this a "necessary step to help ensure" its sustainability.

Posted By | On 11th, Aug. 2026

directive 8020 1

Several weeks after CEO Robert Henrysson stepped down, Supermassive Games has announced a redundancy consultation process. Up to 75 employees will be affected, which the company calls a “necessary step” to ensure its “sustainability.”

This is the third consecutive year that The Dark Pictures Anthology studio has laid off employees, starting in 2024 when co-founders Pete and Joe Samuels left. About 90 employees were reportedly affected at the time, followed by 2025 when a delay to Directive 8020 was announced alongside 36 additional layoffs.

The sci-fi narrative horror launched last May on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and while sales remain a mystery, it achieved a 72 Metascore based on 61 critical reviews. On Steam, it currently holds a “Mixed” rating 63 percent of the 1,300 user reviews giving it a thumbs-up. Again, it’s unknown whether the reception directly contributed to the recent layoffs, or even if this will affect Supermassive’s next game.

Said project has yet to be announced, but based on the teaser unlocked from collecting all the secret O Deaths in Directive 8020, it appears to be more of a supernatural horror title. The company trademarked several IPs back in 2022, including O Death, so it’s very likely to be next. As always, stay tuned for more updates.


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