Supermassive Games, the Guildford-based studio behind Until Dawn and the upcoming sci-fi horror title Directive 8020, will lay off up to 75 people, according to Game Informer. The figure represents one of the larger single-studio reductions in the UK development sector this cycle.

The studio disclosed the planned cuts as consultations begin with affected staff. "Up to 75" signals that the final headcount reduction may land lower depending on the outcome of that process, a common structure for UK layoffs under statutory consultation rules.

What does this change for the studio?

Supermassive has built its reputation on cinematic, choice-driven horror. Until Dawn, originally released on PlayStation in 2015 and remade in 2024 for PC and PlayStation 5, remains the studio's best-known property, with a film adaptation having kept the franchise in the public eye.

Directive 8020, a new IP published under Sony's PlayStation Studios label, is the studio's most significant upcoming release. A reduction of up to 75 roles raises immediate questions about how the project's remaining development timeline and staffing plan absorb the cuts.

How large is the cut relative to the studio?

Supermassive has historically employed several hundred developers across its Guildford headquarters, meaning a reduction of up to 75 people would remove a meaningful share of the studio's total capacity. The company has not yet published a precise current headcount figure alongside the layoff announcement.

For teams working on the studio's slate, the practical consequences include:

• Redistribution of responsibilities across remaining staff
• Potential re-scoping of in-development features
• Uncertainty during the consultation window before final numbers land

What is driving the wave of UK studio cuts?

The Supermassive announcement fits a broader pattern of headcount reductions across the games industry over the past two years, as publishers rein in project budgets and studios consolidate. UK developers have been hit repeatedly, and horror-focused mid-sized studios sit in a segment where a single publisher decision can force significant staffing changes.

Neither Supermassive nor Sony has publicly detailed the business rationale behind the decision at the time of the initial report.

What happens next?

The consultation process will determine how many of the 75 roles are ultimately cut, with affected employees learning their status as that process concludes. Directive 8020's release status remains the key signal to watch: any slippage or re-announcement tied to the project would clarify whether the layoffs reflect a re-scoped pipeline or a wider strategic pullback.