Hi-Rez Studios Cuts Dozens of Jobs, Ends Development on All Games Except Smite 2

The studio shifts its focus entirely to Smite 2, halting updates for Smite, Paladins, and Rogue Company while keeping servers active for now.

Hi-Rez Studios has laid off dozens of employees across various departments, including development, esports, and design, marking its third major round of layoffs since mid-2023.
Development and major updates for Smite, Paladins, and Rogue Company have ceased, though servers for these games will remain operational for the foreseeable future.
The studio is consolidating its resources to prioritize Smite 2, which recently transitioned to a free-to-play model after its initial release as a premium early access title.
Affected employees were reportedly given eight weeks' notice, and the studio has expressed gratitude for their contributions while encouraging other companies to hire them.
Hi-Rez CEO Stewart Chisam has faced criticism for his leadership, with some employees and community members blaming management decisions for the studio's challenges.