Smilegate Barcelona Studio Shuts Down, All Employees Laid Off

The closure of the studio, known for its work on an unannounced open-world AAA game, marks a significant blow to the gaming industry.

Smilegate Barcelona, involved in developing an unannounced open-world AAA game for consoles, has officially closed down.
Game director Stephane Blais announced the closure on LinkedIn, stating that all employees are being laid off.
The Barcelona studio, established in 2020 by the developer of Crossfire and Lost Ark, had not revealed many details about its project.
Industry figures, including Xbox head Phil Spencer, highlight ongoing layoffs across the gaming sector as a response to profit needs and lack of growth.
The future of the studio's unfinished game remains uncertain, with hopes that Smilegate will soon provide plans for its completion or release.