Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Studio Hit By Layoffs Following Successful Launch
Numerous developers in 2026 have been on a roll, delivering some of the best-selling games of the year. However, the gaming industry is headed for an inevitable, unfortunate scenario where, no matter how much a game…
Numerous developers in 2026 have been on a roll, delivering some of the best-selling games of the year. However, the gaming industry is headed for an inevitable, unfortunate scenario where, no matter how much a game sells, a studio is regularly hit by layoffs, including Sucker Punch Studios after launching Ghost of Yōtei, which has reportedly sold 5.4 million copies, according to Alinea Analytics.
Even indie game studios are struggling to support themselves. Auroch Digital is a renowned studio behind the Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun series, and after releasing Boltgun 2 to critical acclaim, the studio is now preparing for redundancy.
Auroch Digital Announces Redundancies Despite Delivering Hits
Auroch Digital took to X in a now-deleted post and announced that they're preparing for redundancies across the studio, which will affect around a quarter of the studio. While highlighting how Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 received a warm response from the players, the studio claims that the wider market conditions are the reason they have decided to go with such a difficult decision.
The redundancy consultation is in process, and Auroch Digital hasn't given a solid number of employees or the departments at risk, but according to the studio's LinkedIn page, they have around 51–200 employees—putting 13 employees at risk. Still, the full scale of the proposed restructuring is unclear. It's honestly sad to see a renowned indie studio laying off its employees, but it is true that the market conditions are worsening day by day. Development costs are rising, resulting in less profit even if a game sells millions of copies.
Auroch Digital acknowledges the uncertainty this announcement brings to its employees and others who remain unaffected during the redundancy consultation, but it will do its utmost to support the staff during these times, provide a financial explanation, and lessen the impact of these impending changes. After learning about this situation, it's normal to raise questions about the future of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2.
Thankfully, the studio has announced that the game will continue to receive support in the future, although it offered no word about a DLC. Auroch Digital will also continue to support Warhammer Survivors to make sure it releases, but it doesn't mean that the layoffs won't become a challenge for the said games. The studio has appealed to other industry peers for help hiring the laid-off employees, securing their future, and using their skills to create something they're passionate about.
It's one of the key statements of the announcement, as it reflects that the studio cares about its employees despite the layoffs. And since the consequences of redundancies go far beyond the studio's production schedule, they understand how hard it will be for their employees after they're let go. For now, they're being supported through thick and thin to make things easier, even if it's a little reassurance to keep them moving forward in the future.
Yet Another Uncertain Blow To The Game Industry
Auroch Digital's announcement reflects a massive problem in the game industry right now: studios that manage to deliver commercially and critically successful titles don't survive anymore. Nobody knows how many copies a game has to sell to save their respective studio—it's a never-ending spiral. For Auroch Digital, it hasn't released a proper financial result to establish why these proposed changes are needed. Of course, positive reception from players and critics alike is crucial for a game's success, but it doesn't just translate to how financially strong the project is.
Since the consequences of redundancies go far beyond the studio's production schedule, they understand how hard it will be for their employees after they're let go.
Despite all the negative news, there's something to look forward to: post-release content for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 and Warhammer Survivors. The commitment to working on their two games is commendable, but it unfortunately makes the situation much less reassuring for the developers and players alike.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Action First-Person Shooter Systems 8.5/10OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 84% Released October 14, 2026 ESRB Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence Developer(s) Auroch Digital Publisher(s) Big Fan Games, Devolver Digital