Smite and Realm Royale developer and writer HiRez is shifting most of its remaining workers and assets away from a few of its present video games with the intention to assist 2024’s Smite 2. This implies the unique Smite, Rogue Firm, and class-based shooter Paladins will not obtain giant content material updates sooner or later.
As reported by GameDeveloper.com, earlier this week HiRez Studios laid off round 70 staff in keeping with public posts on social media. A consumer on the Smite subreddit has cataloged all the public layoff confirmations from particular person staff and documented them in a single put up. A Discord message noticed by Dexerto, reportedly from a HiRez consultant, indicated {that a} “discount” throughout all the the corporate’s inside groups has occurred and this has led to some large adjustments for its video games. HiRez Studios’ president Stewart Chisam later confirmed the layoffs in an e-mail to Kotaku.
In line with that very same aforementioned Discord message, HiRez will not be supporting or creating giant updates for Paladins, Rogue Firm, or the unique Smite.
“Smite 1, Paladins and Rogue Firm servers will stay out there for the foreseeable future, however no additional main updates are presently deliberate for these video games,” stated the unnamed HiRez rep. “We perceive this may increasingly come as a disappointment to lots of you, however know that Paladins has an extremely particular place in our hearts. We plan to maintain the servers and presently out there content material operating so long as potential to mean you can proceed to benefit from the recreation.”
Chisam confirmed to Kotaku that 70 individuals had been laid off throughout “all divisions.”
“We all know that is an exceptionally troublesome time to seek out work within the business, which makes it much more devastating to have let go of so many loyal and gifted builders,” Chisam advised Kotaku. “We pursued each angle out there to us to keep away from these cuts, but it surely was crucial to make sure that we survive on this tumultuous atmosphere.”
Chisam advised Kotaku that Smite 2 will proceed to be the “main focus of the newly streamlined operations” and confirmed that the OG Smite, Paladins, and Rogue Firm servers will all “stay out there for the foreseeable future.” He additionally indicated that “minor updates” are nonetheless deliberate for these video games.
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