Gamepires Announces Layoffs as SCUM Development Continues
The cuts land months after Gamepires was reported in February 2026 as acquired by Splash Damage, and with no statement yet from the new owner, the studio is absorbing the reduction on its own account while the game it is known for keeps running.
Reporting from 1 source: Game Spark.
Croatia-based developer Gamepires announced layoffs on the official X account for SCUM, its live open-world survival game. The studio says the downsizing is a response to harsh market conditions and a move toward long-term sustainability. Studio staff and SCUM development team members are affected; the number has not been disclosed. Gamepires says the decision is a business one and not a reflection on the team's work, and that SCUM development, updates and additional content will continue.
The announcement came from the SCUM account rather than from Splash Damage, which was reported in February 2026 as acquiring the studio. Gamepires says the layoffs are a business decision and not a judgment on the affected staff, and thanks them for their contributions. How many positions are going has not been disclosed. SCUM, which entered Steam Early Access on August 30, 2018 and moved to its full version on June 17, 2025, will keep receiving updates and additional content. At the time of the article, Splash Damage had said nothing about the cuts.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.