Civilization developer Firaxis is laying off staff

Firaxis, the developer behind the popular Civilization strategy game series, is undergoing a restructuring and optimization process that has resulted in an undisclosed number of layoffs. The studio's parent company, 2K, confirmed the layoffs, stating that they are meant to improve the company's "adaptability, collaboration, and creativity." The layoffs come amid turmoil at another 2K studio, Cloud Chamber, which is working on the next Bioshock game. While the exact number of employees affected is unclear, some former staff members who worked on Civilization VII and Marvel's Midnight Sons have already shared on social media that they were laid off. The news is surprising, given that Take-Two Interactive, Firaxis and 2K's parent company, was still expecting financial growth for the back half of 2025. However, layoffs have become a common feature of the game industry's normal business strategies, regardless of a game's success or failure.