Tag: Supermassive Games

  • Supermassive Games Postpones Directive 8020 to 2026 Amid Layoffs

    Supermassive Games Postpones Directive 8020 to 2026 Amid Layoffs

    Key Takeaways

    1. Supermassive Games is laying off 36 employees as part of a restructuring due to challenges in the gaming industry.
    2. The release of their new game, Directive 8020, has been delayed from October 2, 2025, to the first half of 2026.
    3. Directive 8020 is the fifth installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology series, featuring a sci-fi horror story with multiple paths and time-rewinding mechanics.
    4. Other upcoming game, Little Nightmares III, will not be affected by the layoffs and is still set to release on October 10, 2025.
    5. The gaming industry has faced significant layoffs, with over 10,000 job losses in 2024, driven by rising development costs and shifts in market demand.

    Supermassive Games, a studio from the UK well-known for its horror narratives like The Quarry and Until Dawn, has revealed that it will be laying off 36 employees as part of a restructuring effort due to ongoing challenges in the gaming industry.

    Project Delays

    The studio had been developing a new game called Directive 8020, which was expected to launch on October 2, 2025. However, this release has now been pushed back to the first half of 2026. The announcement was shared on Supermassive Games’ official X account on July 22, 2025, where they expressed their sadness about the layoffs.

    The studio emphasized that these layoffs were a difficult choice and they are trying to help the affected employees during this tough time. They also mentioned that they appreciate the positive feedback regarding Directive 8020 and believe that this delay will lead to a better experience for the fans who are willing to wait.

    Game Features

    Directive 8020 was first unveiled at Gamescom 2024 and is the fifth installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology series by Supermassive Games. In this new title, the studio aims to tell a sci-fi horror story with multiple paths featuring five playable characters. Players will have the ability to use “Turning Points” to rewind time at crucial moments that can change the direction of the game.

    Additionally, Supermassive Games confirmed that their other anticipated game, Little Nightmares III, which is due to come out on October 10, 2025, will not be affected by these layoffs.

    Industry Trends

    This isn’t the first instance of job cuts at the studio. Back in February 2024, they had already reduced their workforce to only a third of its previous size.

    The gaming sector has seen a wave of layoffs in recent times, with over 10,000 jobs lost in just 2024 alone. Factors like increasing development costs and significant shifts in market demand have contributed to this trend, and the recent layoffs at Supermassive Games reflect these broader changes in the industry.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: ,
  • Little Nightmares III Release Date Announced with Enhanced Edition

    Little Nightmares III Release Date Announced with Enhanced Edition

    Key Takeaways

    1. Release Date: Little Nightmares III will launch globally on October 10, 2025.
    2. New Developer: The game is being developed by Supermassive Games, not Tarsier Studios, marking a change in the series’ development team.
    3. Pre-order Availability: Pre-orders are open on multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with different editions available.
    4. Enhanced Edition: Pre-orders for Little Nightmares III grant early access to the Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, which features improved graphics and gameplay.
    5. Transmedia Projects: Bandai Namco is expanding the Little Nightmares universe with new podcasts, comic books, novels, and a stop-motion animation project.

    Bandai Namco has made it official that Little Nightmares III, the upcoming chapter in its cherished horror puzzle-platformer series, is set to launch globally on October 10, 2025. This installment is being developed by Supermassive Games, known for their work on Until Dawn. It’s notable that this will be the first main entry in the series that isn’t created by Tarsier Studios, the original developers of both Little Nightmares and its sequel.

    Pre-order Details

    Although the game won’t be available for a few weeks, pre-orders for Little Nightmares III have already begun on various platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch (with pre-orders for Switch 2 coming soon). There are four different editions to choose from.

    All pre-orders placed on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC will provide early access to the newly announced Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition. Additionally, this Enhanced Edition of the original game from 2017 will release alongside Little Nightmares III. The updated version features ray tracing, volumetric lighting, better checkpoint placements, and more gameplay assistance on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Early access is currently available, but only for those who pre-order Little Nightmares III digitally.

    Exciting Expansions

    In addition to the main game and the enhanced version of the original title, Bandai Namco has also revealed several transmedia projects. Fans can look forward to a second season of The Sounds of Nightmares podcast, a brand new comic book titled Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere, a young adult novel called Little Nightmares: The Lonely Ones, and even a stop-motion animation project.

    Bandai Namco’s efforts to expand the Little Nightmares universe show their commitment to engaging with the fan base and providing a richer storytelling experience.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: ,
  • Next-Gen PS and Xbox Consoles Coming in 2027, Says Cancelled Game

    Next-Gen PS and Xbox Consoles Coming in 2027, Says Cancelled Game

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sony and AMD are reportedly collaborating on a chip for the PlayStation 6, with the design phase completed.
    2. Both the PlayStation 6 and the new Xbox are expected to launch in 2027, although this has not been officially confirmed.
    3. Supermassive Games was developing a Blade Runner game intended for next-gen consoles, further indicating the upcoming hardware’s timeline.
    4. The Blade Runner game was meant to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the new “Gen 10” systems.
    5. The gaming industry follows a seven-year cycle, suggesting that the new consoles will arrive as the PS4 and Xbox One cycle concludes in 2027.

    There have been rumors that Sony and AMD are collaborating on the chip for the PlayStation 6, and it appears that the design phase is done. Meanwhile, Microsoft is also making strides on its upcoming Xbox. It looks like both of these new consoles are set to hit the market in 2027. Although neither company has officially confirmed this, a game studio’s scrapped unannounced project seems to have let the cat out of the bag.

    Game Development Insights

    Supermassive Games was reportedly developing a Blade Runner game, called Blade Runner: Time to Live, which was intended to be a narrative-driven action-adventure title. As per a report from Insider Gaming last week, the game started its pre-production phase in September of last year, with plans to wrap up by March of this year and a launch aimed for September 2027. Sadly, the game was quietly cancelled, but it’s noteworthy what platforms it was meant for.

    Next-Gen Console Release

    According to the report, the Blade Runner title was scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the new “Gen 10” Xbox and PlayStation systems. This indicates that the upcoming Xbox and PlayStation 6 are likely to debut in 2027, potentially in November. Given that both Sony and Microsoft are advancing their next-gen consoles, this 2027 timeline appears to be plausible.

    Industry Trends and Cycles

    Looking back, the PS4 and Xbox One were launched in 2013, followed by the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles seven years later in 2020. This indicates that the seven-year cycle will conclude in 2027, heralding the arrival of the next generation. Reports suggest that both Sony and Microsoft might also introduce handheld versions along with their full-size consoles.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,