Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Hi-Rez Studios has officially ended development onSmiteandPaladinsand the once budget-friendly alternative toOverwatchhas come to an end. The market has just been harder and harder to navigate in recent years as players have higher and higher standards of developers. And unless you’re doing something unique like whatMarvel Rivalshas managed, it’s hard to survive.
After mass layoffs at Hi-Rez, the future forPaladinslooks bleak. But this hasn’t come as a surprise to most of the gaming community. Hi-Rez’s hero shooter was never supposed to be a genre-defining character and only ever took off because of Blizzard’s decision to put a price tag onOverwatch. So while it wasn’t a bad game, Paladin’s time has come to an end.
Hi-Rez Studios has made big changes to the studio’s direction
WhenPaladinslaunched in 2016, it was the best free-to-play alternative to Blizzard’sOverwatch. But while it had its own unique mechanics like card-based loadouts, it never truly reached its full potential. But today,Overwatch 2is free-to-play andMarvel Rivalsis already the new trendof the genre.
Smite and Paladins have officially ceased development after mass layoffs at Hi-Rez Studiospic.twitter.com/0MXeGTit9p
Over time, player numbers declined, and the game saw fewer major content updates. The recent layoffs at Hi-Rez seem to have sealed its fate. Hi-Rez Studios recently laid off 50-70 employees and shut down active development onPaladins,Smite 1, andRogue Company. The decision comes as part of a shift in strategy, with the company now focusing exclusively onSmite 2.
Things Will Only Get Worse for Overwatch 2 After Marvel Rivals: SMITE 2’s Hero Release Schedule Looks Promising
According to a statement that Hi-Rez’s CEO Stewart Chisam made toKotaku,Smite 2will be the new focus of the studio’s “streamlined operations.” While the servers for the hero-shooter will remain online, no further major updates are planned. This isn’t a new pattern from Hi-Rez if you remember it previously abandonedTribes: Ascendin a similar manner.
I feel like Paladins was missing some kind of spark to make it truly great. As for Smite the only thing interesting about it is that you can play as a whale yokai.
The writing had been on the wall for a long time. The last new champion inPaladinswas released in 2023, and since then, updates have just been bug fixes and minor improvements. Many players noted thatPaladinslacked the “spark” that madeOverwatchengaging. While Hi-Rez did attempt to support the game, it was clear that it wasn’t a priority, and eventually, the company chose to pull the plug.
Every game that isn’tMarvel Rivalshas struggled to remain popular recently
Hi-Rez’s layoffs are part of what has been a mass trend in the gaming industry. Thousands of developerslost their jobs in the past yearand things aren’t slowing down. Layoffs have hit even the biggest companies and they are doubling down on their most profitable projects, and for Hi-Rez, that meant letting go of its iconic titles.
Real Reason Riot Claims They Had to “Eliminate Some Roles” after Mass Layoffs Rock Valorant Developer
The hero shooter genre has become increasingly competitive, andPaladinswas simply unable to keep up.Marvel Rivals, which launched in December 2024, has already made a massive impact. On the other hand,Overwatch 2continues to get frequent updates, hero reworks, and new content.
In today’s market, games must either land with a big splash or have massive long-term investments to succeed.Paladinswas fun while it lasted, but after the lack of updates or a strong player base, it was only a matter of time before it reached the end.
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1369
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. you may also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
More from Daniel Royte
Helldivers 2 Major Order Update: Arrowhead’s Last-Minute Assist Helps Complete Impossible Charger Challenge
All LinkedIn Games Solutions for Today (August 19, 2025)
Helldivers 2 Superstore Update for July 02, 2025
Recommended
Every Makoto Shinkai Main Character Ranked From Worst to Best
‘Lord of Mysteries’ and ‘To Be Hero X’ Are Giving ‘One Piece’ a Massive Reality Check
‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Ranked by Net Worth: Who’s the Richest GOT Actor?
10 Actors You Didn’t Know Were in Smallville: From Dave Bautista to Cobie Smulders
NYT Connections Hints and Solution for June 17, 2025
Toei Animation May Have Lost Its Touch After ‘One Piece’s Hiatus
Marvel RivalsSMITE 2
