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Little Nightmares III Delayed to 2025 Amidst Supermassive Games Layoffs

The highly anticipated horror action platformer, Little Nightmares III, developed by Supermassive Games, has been officially delayed to 2025. The news, shared on the official Little Nightmares III X account, comes with a message emphasizing the team's commitment to quality and the need for additional time to perfect the game.

A Message from Supermassive Games

In a heartfelt post, Supermassive Games addressed the delay, stating:

"As much as we can't wait for you to return to the Nowhere, we also want to make sure we give the game the care and love it deserves. Quality is a top priority for us, and we know you feel the same way. For this reason, we've made the decision to shift the release of the game to 2025."

This announcement, while disappointing to many fans, underscores the developer's dedication to delivering a polished and immersive experience worthy of the Little Nightmares series.

Transition from Tarsier Studios to Supermassive Games

Notably, Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and The Quarry, took over development duties from Tarsier Studios, the original creators of the first two Little Nightmares games. Tarsier Studios has not yet announced their next project, leaving fans curious about what’s next for the talented team.

Supermassive Games Layoffs

Amid the delay announcement, Supermassive Games also revealed that they are undergoing significant organizational changes. According to a report from Bloomberg, the studio is laying off approximately 90 employees. This reduction in force represents roughly 30% of the company's workforce, which currently stands at 300 employees.

In a statement, Supermassive Games addressed the layoffs:

"It's no secret that the games industry is currently facing significant challenges, and unfortunately we aren't immune to this. After much deliberation and with deep regret, we are therefore undertaking a reorganization of Supermassive Games. As a result, we are entering into a period of consultation, which we anticipate will result in the loss of some of our colleagues. This is not a decision that's been taken lightly, with many efforts made to avoid this outcome. We are all too aware of how unsettling and difficult this process is going to be for all our employees and will be working closely with all those involved to ensure the process is conducted as respectfully and compassionately as possible. We're committed to focusing our efforts on our core strength and upcoming titles to ensure the continued sustainability of the company."

Industry-Wide Layoffs

The layoffs at Supermassive Games are part of a broader trend in the gaming industry, which has seen significant job cuts across various companies in 2024. More than 5,500 employees have been laid off in the first two months of the year alone. This trend continued from the previous year, where over 10,000 industry professionals were affected by layoffs.

Some notable instances include:

• Embracer Group canceled a new Deus Ex game and laid off 97 employees at Eidos-Montréal.
• Black Forest Games, developers of the Destroy All Humans remake, laid off 50 employees.
• Microsoft laid off 1,900 employees across its Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax teams.
• People Can Fly, the studio behind Outriders, laid off more than 30 employees.
• Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends, laid off 530 employees.
• CI Games, publishers of Lords of the Fallen, laid off 10% of its staff.
• Unity announced layoffs affecting 1,800 employees.
• Twitch laid off 500 employees.
• Thunderful Group, developers of SteamWorld Build, let go of around 100 people.
• Behaviour Interactive, known for Dead by Daylight, laid off 45 employees.

These layoffs are part of a larger restructuring across the industry, reflecting the significant challenges faced by many game development companies.

Looking Ahead

Despite these setbacks, Supermassive Games remains committed to delivering Little Nightmares III with the same level of quality and care that fans have come to expect. The delay to 2025, while disappointing, ensures that the game will be thoroughly polished and optimized, providing a superior gaming experience.

Fans of the Little Nightmares series can look forward to future updates and announcements as the new release date approaches. The dedication of the development team, despite the challenging circumstances, promises a continuation of the series' dark, atmospheric storytelling and innovative gameplay.

For now, players are encouraged to stay tuned to the official Little Nightmares channels for further news and updates. The community's patience and support during this period are greatly appreciated by the developers, who are working hard to bring the eerie world of Little Nightmares III to life.

"We're committed to focusing our efforts on our core strength and upcoming titles to ensure the continued sustainability of the company," Supermassive Games reassured in their statement.

The journey back to the Nowhere will be worth the wait, and Little Nightmares III is poised to deliver another unforgettable horror experience.