Directive 8020 will now see a potential release towards the first half of 2026 based on information published on the Supermassive Games account on X.
Supermassive Games, the UK-based studio known for its narrative-driven horror experiences like The Quarry and Until Dawn, has announced the layoffs of 36 staff members as part of its restructuring program amid ongoing difficulties in the video game industry.
The studio was also working on an upcoming title dubbed Directive 8020, which was originally slated for a October 2, 2025, release. The project has now been postponed to the first half of 2026. The news was made public on Supermassive Games’ official X account on July 22, 2025, where the company expressed regret over the decision to lay off employees.
The company stated that the layoffs were not made lightly and that it is pooling its resources to support employees affected during this difficult period. However, the studio appreciated the positive feedback on Directive 8020 and reassured that the delay would result in the delivery of a polished experience for patient fans.
Directive 8020 was initially announced at Gamescom 2024 and is the fifth entry in Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology. This time, the studio explores a sci-fi horror multi-linear story with five playable protagonists. Players can use “Turning Points” to rewind time to pivotal make-or-break moments that alter the course of the game.
Moreover, Supermassive Games assured gamers that their other upcoming title, Little Nightmares III, which is set for an October 10, 2025, release, will remain unaffected.
This isn’t the first time the studio has laid off a portion of its workforce. Earlier in February 2024, Supermassive Games reduced its staff to one-third of what it used to be.
The video game industry has experienced widespread layoffs in recent years, accounting for over 10,000 job cuts in just 2024. This is due to rising development costs and major shifts in market demand, and Supermassive Games’ recent cuts have also been impacted by these widespread changes.
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Rahim Amir Noorali – Tech Writer – 84 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I am a UAE-based tech writer who likes to build and benchmark PCs both professionally and as a hobby. I contribute to multiple tech publications, including TechRadar and NotebookCheck, as well as Game Rant, where I focus primarily on news, commerce, and buying guides. When I’m not scouring the internet for the latest in tech stories, you will find me playing a game of Civilization or DotA with friends and frenemies alike while dropping recommendations for Apple TV+’s Foundation to everyone I come across.
Rahim Amir Noorali, 2025-07-24 (Update: 2025-07-24)
