Hi-Rez Studios Faces Latest Layoffs Among Executive Leadership, Including Studio President

Hi-Rez Studios Announces Executive Layoffs Amid Organizational Changes

In a significant development, Hi-Rez Studios, the team behind Smite 2, has confirmed its third round of layoffs within the past year. Unlike the previous layoffs in February and October 2024, which predominantly affected game developers, this recent cut involves key figures from the studio’s executive leadership, including Stewart Chisam, the former studio president.

Background and Confirmation of Layoffs

The news of these executive layoffs first emerged from a former Hi-Rez employee and was later substantiated by Alex Cantatore, the new general manager of Hi-Rez’s subsidiary, Titan Forge. This confirmation was shared on the Smite subreddit.

In Cantatore’s remarks, he stated that there had been a “handful of layoffs in senior management positions only last Thursday, ”noting that Chisam and other senior leaders, including Travis Brown and Radar, were affected.“I am very sad to be losing all of them, ”Cantatore expressed.

Reasoning Behind the Changes

According to Cantatore, the board’s decision for the layoffs stemmed from an assessment that the studio had “a lot of senior management in relation to our current size.”Fortunately, these changes are not anticipated to impact the studio’s core mission or the team working directly on Smite 2. He opted not to issue an official statement from the studio to allow those leaving, like Chisam, the opportunity to announce their own departures.

Stewart Chisam’s Departure

Following the layoffs, Chisam shared his thoughts in a statement on LinkedIn. Reflecting on his 17 years with Hi-Rez, he indicated that his departure was something that had been planned for a while, aligning with his belief that “the timing was finally right.”He acknowledged the challenges faced in recent years by both the studio and the gaming industry, stating:

“The last few years have been difficult for Hi-Rez and for the industry. Certainly not everything has worked out as we hoped, but I think we also have left a unique footprint on the industry – and tried to carve out a space as a mid-size cross-platform games-as-a-service pioneer, relentlessly fighting against giants.”

Additional Staff Affected

In a related communication on LinkedIn, Tony Jones, the lead producer at Hi-Rez Studios, confirmed that he was also part of this round of layoffs. However, other affected staff members, including Travis Brown and Radar, have yet to publicly comment on their departures.

Conclusion

These changes within Hi-Rez Studios reflect broader trends in the gaming industry, where companies are frequently reassessing their management structures in response to evolving market conditions. As Hi-Rez moves forward, its focus on innovative development and community engagement will be crucial in navigating these tumultuous times.

Source & Images

Related Articles:

Borderlands 4: Key Details and Updates on the Next Installation of the Iconic Looter Shooter

Nintendo Acknowledges Frame Rate Issues in Donkey Kong Bananza

Weekend PC Game Deals: Final Fantasy at Low Prices, Bundled Borderlands Offers, and Free Strategy Games

Electronic Arts May Have Paused the Need for Speed Franchise

Dune Awakening Launch Includes Exciting Feature: Private Servers

Top 8 Modern JRPGs Drawing Inspiration from Classic Games

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *