What's Happening?
1047 Games, the developer behind Splitgate 2, has announced layoffs and the shutdown of the original Splitgate game. CEO Ian Proulx and CTO Nicholas Bagamian acknowledged that the game was launched prematurely, leading to the decision to reduce certain roles to focus on improving the game. The layoffs are part of broader cost-cutting measures, including sunsetting the original Splitgate to reduce server operation costs. This marks the second round of layoffs in 2025, following a smaller reduction in June. The company is exploring offline matches and peer-to-peer multiplayer options to avoid permanent shutdowns of online multiplayer games.
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Why It's Important?
The layoffs and game shutdown reflect challenges in the gaming industry, where premature launches can lead to financial strain and workforce reductions. The decision impacts developers and the gaming community, highlighting the importance of community feedback and readiness in game development. The situation underscores the financial pressures faced by gaming companies, particularly in maintaining server operations for online games. The acknowledgment of mistakes by the CEO may influence industry practices regarding game launches and developer support.
What's Next?
1047 Games plans to solicit more community feedback to improve Splitgate 2. The company aims to support laid-off employees with severance and job placement assistance, with hopes of rehiring them in the future. The exploration of offline and peer-to-peer multiplayer options may offer a path forward for the company to maintain player engagement without high server costs. The industry may watch closely to see how 1047 Games navigates these challenges and whether it can successfully relaunch Splitgate 2.
Beyond the Headlines
The controversy surrounding CEO Ian Proulx's 'Make FPS Great Again' hat, referencing President Trump's slogan, adds a political dimension to the company's challenges. The hat drew criticism amid protests against immigration raids, highlighting the sensitivity of political statements in the gaming industry. This incident may prompt discussions on the intersection of politics and gaming, and the impact of public figures' actions on company reputation.
