Smite & Paladins dev Hi-Rez hit with more layoffs – but it may not be bad news

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HiRez Studios has recently undergone more reductions in staff as they strive to adapt their operation to a smaller setup, and this has led them to maintain rather than develop some of their older multiplayer titles. Unsurprisingly, another wave of job losses has occurred within the company.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say, it’s not often you see a game company make a move like this: Instead of trimming down the team working on Smite 2, the one game still in active development from Hi-Rez Studios, they’ve opted to reduce their senior staff members significantly.

According to confirmations, former CEO Stew Chisam, Executive Producer Travis Brown, and a high-ranking staff member known as Radar have recently been let go from their positions within Titan Forge’s Smite 2 team. Now, Killgoon takes charge of the remaining team members at Titan Forge.

Despite layoffs often not being a positive development, supporters of the game generally believe strongly that the correct choice has been implemented.

Hi-Rez exec speaks out after senior employees get laid off

Previously employed developer from HiRez Studios shared the news on Twitter, which subsequently triggered a response from Killgoon, also known as Alex Cantatore, where he clarified the rationale for these job cuts and the factors that led to them.

As a gamer putting it in my words, I’d say: “Basically, they were saying that for our small scale, we have quite a large number of high-up managers.

Regarding SMITE 2, neither its development nor those actively involved impacts our primary objective. Instead, we are dedicated to enhancing the original game and optimizing the new user experience, all while introducing approximately two new gods every fortnight.

Instead of making a public declaration, Cantatore chose to let each executive handle their own disclosure regarding the matter. Yet, he remains optimistic about Smite 2 and intends to stay with the studio for the time being.

Maintaining our current rate of progress is crucial. Personally, I’m still optimistic about SMITE 2. While I can’t delve deeply into the specifics, I see daily improvements in us, and we firmly believe that there’s a significant amount of room for further growth.

Now, we’ve reached a stage where our fundamental game is solid, allowing us to concentrate on the key areas that will help us expand.

Former Hi-Rez CEO Stew made his own statement over on LinkedIn, saying the following:

Over the past few years, Hi-Rez Studios and the gaming industry have faced challenges. Not everything has gone as planned, but we’ve undeniably made a distinct mark on the industry by striving to establish ourselves as a trailblazer in mid-size cross-platform games-as-a-service, standing our ground against larger competitors. The team that persists is nothing short of extraordinary, and I have no doubt they will taste victory.

Meanwhile, we conversed with Travis Brown at the time when Smite 2 was first unveiled. He served as the primary architect of the game and had been associated with Hi-Rez for close to two decades prior to his termination.

Smite’s OG logo from the 2012 gameplay reveal

Regardless of some Hi-Rez veterans leaving, Reddit users seem optimistic about the recent developments. These fans often criticized the past management for how certain multiplayer games were managed and maintained, expressing satisfaction at the prospect of change.

“NO MORE STEW HOLY SH*T LETS F**KING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,” said one Redditor.

Another person mentioned that if the stew were truly finished, they would seriously resume playing Smite 2 again and keep pressing Q repeatedly to boost the stats.

Although Smite 2 isn’t the most played game on Steam currently, it consistently attracts about 6,000 players daily as of now. Given that most Smite enthusiasts typically use consoles, there’s indeed a possibility for Smite 2 to thrive in its own right.

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2025-05-31 22:18