Firaxis Games Hit by Layoffs Amid Civilization 7’s Mixed Reception

Civilization 7 (Image Credit: 2K/Firaxis)

Civilization 7 developer Firaxis Games is the latest studio to face layoffs, with multiple employees confirming on social media that they’ve been let go.

Those affected include writer Emma Kidwell, producer Maya H, and lead character artist Matthew Davis, among others.

In a statement to media outlets, publisher 2K confirmed the cuts, describing them as part of a “restructure” aimed at optimizing Firaxis’ development process for “adaptability, collaboration, and creativity.” While the company has not disclosed the number of employees affected, reports from Game Developer suggest the layoffs could involve dozens of staff.

The timing comes just months after Civilization 7’s February 2025 launch. The game introduced a new “Ages” system — a bold shift for the franchise — but reception has been split. Critics generally scored it well, with a 79/100 on Metacritic, yet only 49% of Steam user reviews are positive, earning it a “Mixed” rating. Fans have voiced concerns over certain mechanics they feel earlier entries handled better.

Parent company Take-Two Interactive recently reported a 16% year‑over‑year increase in net bookings to $1.42 billion, exceeding projections. Despite the strong financials, Firaxis has now faced multiple rounds of cuts in recent years — roughly 30 employees were laid off in 2023, and Take‑Two let go of nearly 600 workers in 2024 as part of wider cost‑cutting measures.

This latest round follows recent cuts at Crystal Dynamics, Microsoft, and other major studios, citing the "ongoing instability" in the gaming sector.

For now, Firaxis continues to support Civilization 7 with post‑launch updates, but the long‑term impact of these staffing changes on the game’s future — and on the studio’s next projects — remains to be seen.