Firaxis Layoffs and Civilization 7 Development: What's the Impact?

Last Updated: October 15, 2025

Firaxis Games, the acclaimed studio behind the legendary Civilization and XCOM franchises, has confirmed it underwent a round of layoffs in September 2023. The news, which first circulated through social media posts from impacted staff, was later verified by parent company 2K, which acknowledged a "staff reduction" without disclosing the specific number of employees affected.

This development arrived during a period of significant transition for the studio and stirred concern within its dedicated fanbase. Earlier in February 2023, Firaxis had officially announced that development was underway for the next mainline installment of its flagship series, Sid Meier's Civilization VII. That same month, the studio saw the departure of high-profile veterans Jake Solomon, the creative director of the modern XCOM series and Marvel's Midnight Suns, and longtime studio head Steve Martin.

Uncertainty and Fan Speculation

The combination of high-level departures and subsequent staff reductions created a period of uncertainty. Fans and industry observers were left to speculate on the potential impact on the studio's projects, most notably the highly anticipated Civilization VII. Posts from former employees on platforms like LinkedIn confirmed the cuts affected multiple teams within the developer's Hunt Valley, Maryland, headquarters.

In a statement, publisher 2K sought to reassure the community, stating, "We can confirm there has been a staff reduction at Firaxis. We are confident the studio will continue to deliver world-class experiences for its fans."

Civilization VII Reveal and Reassurance

Despite the internal restructuring, Firaxis and 2K have since provided a clear and promising outlook for their flagship project. At the Summer Game Fest in June 2024, Civilization VII was officially revealed with a cinematic trailer, confirming a targeted release window of 2025 for PC and consoles. This announcement has significantly alleviated fan concerns, demonstrating that development remains firmly on track.

Industry-Wide Layoffs and Take-Two's Cost Reduction

The layoffs at Firaxis were not an isolated event but rather part of a massive, industry-wide wave of cuts that defined 2023 and 2024. Numerous major publishers and developers, including Epic Games, Unity, and Microsoft's gaming divisions, have conducted significant layoffs. Firaxis's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, later announced its own major cost-reduction plan in April 2024, which included laying off approximately 5% of its global workforce and cancelling various in-development projects.

Looking Ahead

While the loss of talent is always a difficult chapter for any studio, Firaxis Games appears to have weathered the storm. With a clear vision for its next major release and the full backing of its publisher, the studio is marching forward. The focus now shifts to 2025, when players will see how this new era at Firaxis shapes the future of one of gaming's most enduring and beloved strategy franchises.