Firaxis has let staff go this week. 2K confirmed a “staff reduction” as part of a restructure. No headcount was given. The move comes months after Civilization 7’s shaky February launch—while Take-Two’s CEO still says sales are in line with expectations and that Civ is a “slow burn”.
What 2K said: restructure now, details later
2K acknowledged layoffs at Firaxis but didn’t share numbers. The company described the change as part of an internal optimisation effort. Media reports and developer posts suggest multiple teams were affected.
- Statement points to “staff reduction” during a broader restructure.
- Wording again stresses “optimisation” and process changes.
- Coverage indicates impacts across Civ 7 and other groups.
In plain terms: 2K is reshaping Firaxis after Civ 7 launched to mixed feedback. This mirrors wider industry trends in 2025, with publishers tightening teams post-launch before long-term updates kick in.
How Civilization 7 is actually doing
Civ 7 released in February 2025 and has had a rough start with players. Steam sentiment sits around mixed, with long-standing UI and balance gripes. Still, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick told press that projections are “very consistent” with targets, calling Civ a slow burn.
- Release date: early February 2025.
- Steam reception: mixed; user friction around UI and systems.
- Publisher view: sales projection “on track”; franchise gains over time.
So the business line is: rocky start, but the revenue curve may lengthen with patches and DLC. That’s typical for the series, and it explains why management talks “lifetime value” while teams still change shape.
Why layoffs when sales are “on track”?
Two things can be true: the game can earn to expectation over time, and the studio can still resize after launch. Publishers often centralise roles, shift priorities, or cut overlapping work once version 1.0 ships.
- 2K cites process changes for “adaptability, collaboration, creativity”.
- Reports say dozens may be affected, but figures remain unconfirmed.
- The move follows other cuts across the industry this year.
For players, expect updates to continue—albeit with a reorganised team. The cadence may change, but big Civ entries typically see long support tails.
FAQ
How many people did Firaxis lay off?
2K didn’t share numbers. Multiple outlets report an unspecified number and reference posts from affected staff.
Are Civilization 7 sales underperforming?
Take-Two says projections are consistent with initial expectations. The CEO called Civ a “slow burn” despite mixed reviews and lower concurrent players than Civ 5/6.
What’s the price for Civ 7 in the UAE?
On Steam it’s AED 260, with frequent 25–30% discounts since launch. Local console pricing varies by store.
