1047 Games has decided to revert its free first-person shooter, Splitgate 2, back to beta status following feedback from players. This announcement, made on July 22, 2023, includes the difficult news that the studio will implement a second round of layoffs as part of its restructuring efforts. Co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian shared their sentiments in a post on X, stating, “We’ve heard your feedback, and we agree with you.”
The studio aims to realign the game with its original vision after ambitious goals led to challenges in development. In their message, they noted, “So we’re going back to beta. We’ll be heads down until early next year, rebuilding major parts of the game.” Key changes will focus on reworking game progression, enhancing map portals, simplifying monetization, and prioritizing classic game modes that players have requested.
In an interview with Polygon, Proulx emphasized the studio’s commitment to developing the game in collaboration with the community. “Now more than ever, we need your help,” he stated, highlighting a renewed focus on player feedback and playtesting. The studio intends to engage players through more playtests and surveys, reinforcing their goal of being “community first.”
To facilitate these changes, 1047 Games announced that further layoffs are necessary. This comes just a month after an undisclosed number of employees were let go in June. The post on X expressed regret over the decision: “This is heartbreaking. These are our teammates and our friends, and they helped build what we have today.” The company assured that affected employees would receive severance and job placement support.
In an effort to retain as many team members as possible, the studio will also shut down the original Splitgate servers next month. Despite this, they plan to proceed with the release of Chapter 3 of Splitgate 2 as scheduled.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to 1047 Games to clarify the number of employees laid off in June and to inquire about the expected figures for the upcoming layoffs. As the studio navigates these changes, its focus remains on delivering a refined gaming experience that resonates with its community.