Hi-Rez Studios Faces Further Layoffs, Halts Support for Paladins and Rogue Company

Hi-Rez Studios, the developer of Smite, has announced further layoffs, despite previous workforce reductions aimed at securing the future of Smite 2.¹ This news, confirmed by a collection of social media posts, suggests approximately 30 employees have been impacted.

In a Discord statement, Hi-Rez cited the need for “long-term sustainability” and aligning costs with revenue as the primary reasons for the layoffs. The company emphasized that Smite 2 development will continue to be the primary focus, with the streamlined workforce enabling a consistent flow of new content.

However, this restructuring has significant consequences for other Hi-Rez titles. While servers for Smite, Paladins, and Rogue Company will remain active, the company has confirmed that no further content updates or support will be provided for Paladins and Rogue Company.

Hi-Rez acknowledged the disappointment this news may cause, particularly for Paladins fans, stating that the game holds a “special place” in their hearts. They intend to keep the servers and existing content accessible for players to continue enjoying the game.

This series of events highlights the challenges facing Hi-Rez Studios as they navigate the development of Smite 2 while ensuring the long-term viability of their business.

Key Changes:

• Concise and impactful title: Better summarizes the core message.
• Removed redundant information: Streamlined the text by removing unnecessary details and repetition.
• Improved clarity and flow: Enhanced readability by using shorter sentences and stronger transitions.
• Neutralized tone: Presented the information in a more objective and less emotionally charged manner.
• Focused on key takeaways: Emphasized the most important aspects of the news, such as the layoffs, the halt of support for other games, and the focus on Smite 2.