In some recent updates, both Firaxis, the team behind Civilization, and CD Projekt Red, the renowned creators of The Witcher series, have announced significant staff cuts.

The folks at Firaxis, a prominent studio under the 2K umbrella, have reportedly let go of approximately 30 developers just this past Tuesday. On the other hand, CD Projekt Red is also trimming its workforce by a similar number as it wraps up its support for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.

According to a piece by Axios, a 2K spokesperson stated that the Firaxis layoffs were part of their strategy to sharpen their focus, optimize efficiencies, and align their talented workforce with their top priorities. These measures seem to be in line with the US$50 million cost reduction program initiated earlier this year by Take-Two, the parent company of 2K and Rockstar Games.

In an industry where changes are a norm, it comes as no surprise that major shake-ups can occur. In fact, in February, it was announced that Jake Solomon, the renowned director behind Midnight Suns and the XCOM franchise, was leaving Firaxis after more than two decades. Reports also suggest that staff at Private Division and other Take-Two business units faced layoffs in the subsequent month.

As for CD Projekt Red, their plans to wind down support for Gwent in 2023 have been known for some time. The studio expressed mixed feelings about the transition in a recent update on Gwent’s website, stating, “Moments like this are always bittersweet. On one hand, we get to see the game live on in the capable hands of the community, but on the other hand, it means coming to terms with the fact that all good things must come to an end.”

During this transition, the resources and roles required behind the scenes are naturally decreasing. Consequently, CD Projekt Red has had to part ways with some of its team members. By the end of the year, approximately 30 remaining Gwent team members will be leaving the company.

In another unfortunate turn of events, CD Projekt had to let go of 29 employees earlier this month. This decision was made due to the adjustment in scope for their Witcher spin-off game, Project Sirius. The impact of these layoffs was primarily felt by the developers at The Molasses Flood, an American studio that CD Projekt acquired back in 2021, known for their work on Flame in the Flood.

Change is never easy, especially in the world of game development. However, both Firaxis and CD Projekt Red are determined to navigate these challenges and continue creating memorable experiences for players worldwide.