Supermassive Games Cuts Jobs, Delays Directive 8020 to 2026

Supermassive Games, the studio behind Until Dawn and the Dark Pictures Anthology horror series, has announced plans to cut up to 36 jobs in its latest restructuring effort.

In a social media statement released today, the developer also confirmed shifting its anticipated sci-fi horror title Directive 8020 to "the first half of 2026."

Citing challenges in the evolving games industry, Supermassive explained these staff reductions aim to better align its team structure with current market conditions. This follows similar workforce cuts in March 2024 when approximately 90 employees were let go.

With about 350 staff members recorded in 2023, the company has now reduced its workforce by roughly one-third within eighteen months.

"While remaining committed to our upcoming projects, we've chosen to extend Directive 8020's development window," Supermassive stated. "The overwhelmingly positive reception motivates us to use this additional time crafting the ultimate experience for our players. We sincerely appreciate our community's ongoing support."

Originally teased among future Dark Pictures Anthology titles in early 2022, Directive 8020 later received an official announcement trailer with 2022's The Devil In Me. Despite initial hype, its extended development period continues testing fans' patience.

A statement from Supermassive Games. pic.twitter.com/Vom1CSGYGs

— Supermassive Games (@SuperMGames) July 22, 2025

The Dark Pictures Anthology launched in 2019 with nautical horror Man of Medan, followed by colonial-era thriller Little Hope (2020) and Middle Eastern-set House of Ashes (2021). Slasher-inspired The Devil in Me arrived in 2022, preceding the VR offshoot Switchback VR (2023).

Series development has noticeably decelerated, with Directive 8020 marking at least a three-year gap since the last installment. While maintaining franchise connections like the recurring Curator character, Supermassive emphasizes this entry's standalone nature alongside gameplay refinements.

Simultaneously, Supermassive continues development on Little Nightmares 3, maintaining its October 10 release date unaffected by today's restructuring.