Firaxis Layoffs Confirmed as 2K Restructures

Firaxis Games, developer of Civilization VII, has carried out staff reductions in early September 2025. Multiple former employees who worked on Civilization VII and Marvel’s Midnight Sons said on social media they were laid off. A 2K spokesperson confirmed a “staff reduction” at Firaxis, saying the studio is “restructuring and optimizing its development process for adaptability, collaboration and creativity,” but declined to disclose exact numbers.

What we know

• Reports indicate “dozens” of employees were affected, though 2K has not confirmed a headcount.
• The layoffs follow turmoil at another 2K studio, Cloud Chamber, which is developing the next Bioshock.
• Civilization VII launched in February 2025 and has continued to receive updates since release.
• Take-Two had previously forecasted growth for late 2025, making these cuts notable to industry observers.

For more details and contemporary reporting, see the coverage by Game Rant and Rock Paper Shotgun:

• Game Rant — Firaxis Hit With Layoffs
• Rock Paper Shotgun — Firaxis have laid off an unspecified number of workers

Context

Layoffs have become more common across the games industry in recent years, sometimes occurring even when parent companies forecast revenue growth. The impact on Firaxis’ upcoming plans and ongoing content updates is not yet clear.

If you have experience in studio operations, developer support, or community management, what steps would you recommend to studios and publishers to reduce future layoffs and support impacted staff? Share your thoughts below.

Original reporting compiled from multiple outlets.