Hi-Rez Studios, Inc.

Hi-Rez Studios, the Alpharetta-based maker of SMITE, Paladins and other games, filed notice with state officials that it will be laying off nearly 70 staff members between now and May, with an initial round finishing on April 7 and the remainder by May 7. The company said the reductions span its three main divisions under the Hi-Rez umbrella and are intended to align team costs with company revenue while allowing continued development and content for SMITE 2. Company president Stewart Chisam acknowledged the statement and confirmed a similar message had been shared on a private Discord; he characterized the reductions as necessary due to a historic downturn in the video game industry. Employees and former staff posted emotional reactions online, noting impacts on long-tenured workers.