Supermassive Games, the studio behind Until Dawn and the Dark Pictures Anthology horror series, has announced plans to cut up to 36 jobs in its latest restructuring effort.
In a social media statement released today, the developer also confirmed a delay for its anticipated sci-fi horror project Directive 8020, pushing its launch window to "the first half of 2026."
The studio explained these workforce reductions as necessary adjustments to align with today's volatile game development landscape. This follows similar layoffs in March 2024 when approximately 90 employees were let go.
With a reported 350 staff members in 2023, Supermassive has now reduced its workforce by about one-third within 18 months.
"Our commitment to upcoming projects remains unwavering," Supermassive stated. "We've chosen to postpone Directive 8020 to ensure we deliver an exceptional experience for our fans. The overwhelming enthusiasm for the game motivates us, and we sincerely appreciate our community's continued support."
Originally teased in 2022 and officially announced that same year, Directive 8020 represents a standalone chapter in the Dark Pictures Anthology. Despite being previewed in 2022's The Devil In Me credits, its development has extended significantly beyond initial expectations.
A statement from Supermassive Games. pic.twitter.com/Vom1CSGYGs
— Supermassive Games (@SuperMGames) July 22, 2025
The Dark Pictures Anthology began in 2019 with maritime thriller Man of Medan, followed by supernatural tale Little Hope (2020) and the military horror House of Ashes (2021). The series continued with 2022's hotel slasher The Devil in Me and 2023's VR offshoot Switchback VR.
Development pacing has slowed notably since, with Directive 8020 representing only the fifth mainline entry by 2026. While maintaining franchise elements like the enigmatic Curator character, the studio emphasizes this installment's self-contained nature and gameplay enhancements.
Separately, Supermassive confirms uninterrupted development on Little Nightmares 3, maintaining its October 10 launch date despite today's staffing changes.
