Firaxis Games hit with new layoffs as Civilization 7 wrestles with a rocky rollout
Firaxis Games, the studio behind Civilization, XCOM, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, has undergone another round of layoffs in September 2025, adding to a year of industry-wide job cuts. Publisher 2K confirmed the staff reductions, though it did not disclose how many employees were affected. News of the layoffs first surfaced through posts from impacted team members on social platforms.
Among those who shared updates were senior quality assurance tester Logan Blackwood, lead character artist Matthew Davis, producer Maya H., and artist Daniella Zeman. A writer who spent nearly five years at the studio noted they had contributed to Civilization VII and Marvel’s Midnight Suns and are now seeking new opportunities.
A 2K spokesperson said the move is part of a broader restructuring: “We can confirm there was a staff reduction today at Firaxis Games, as the studio restructures and optimizes its development process for adaptability, collaboration, and creativity.”
The cuts follow a turbulent period for Firaxis after the February 2025 launch of Civilization VII. The latest entry in the strategy franchise drew mixed reactions, with the user interface and the divisive New Ages system drawing heavy criticism. According to SteamDB, the game currently sits at around 47.30% positive reviews, with 24,643 negative of 46,667 total reviews, resulting in an overall Mixed rating.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged Civilization VII’s struggles at launch, while suggesting such early turbulence is not unusual for the series. Despite patches and content updates shaped by community feedback, the game has continued to underperform—a likely factor in Firaxis’s decision to restructure.
This isn’t the first time recent outcomes have complicated Firaxis’s trajectory. Marvel’s Midnight Suns, released in 2022, earned strong critical sentiment on Steam with roughly 81.4% positive reviews. Even so, it fell short commercially, with observers pointing to a complex DLC rollout and an unfavorable release window as contributing factors.
The latest layoffs underscore a challenging moment for Firaxis and the broader strategy genre. With seasoned developers now back on the job market and Civilization VII still seeking its footing, all eyes will be on what comes next for the studio—and how it retools to recapture the consistent momentum that once defined its flagship franchises.
