Hi-Rez Studios, the developer behind Smite 2 and Paladins, has announced it’s laying off an undisclosed number of employees in order to “ensure [the company’s] long-term success”.

Hi-Rez CEO Stewart Chisam announced the job cuts in a lengthy statement shared on social media, saying the layoffs – instigated as part of an “internal reorganisation and reprioritisation” – will “disproportionately impact those in marketing and publishing roles”. Staff at Hi-Rez’s Evil Mojo, G&A, and Titan Forge divisions are also affected, with Chisam saying these latter cuts will “disproportionally affect our team working on cosmetic skin content and system features.”

Chisam went on to acknowledge the “real human impact” of the layoffs, adding, “Each impacted individual is a talented and dedicated professional who has poured their heart and soul into our games. Letting them go is a heartbreaking decision, reflects a failure in my leadership, and one for which I take personal accountability.”

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