Skate developer Full Circle announces layoffs ahead of new game release
Mashable
March 1, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Skate developer Full Circle has announced layoffs at its Burnaby, British Columbia headquarters, marking another chapter in the ongoing wave of layoffs across AAA gaming studios, following similar moves by Ubisoft Toronto earlier this week. In a public statement titled "skate's Next Chapter," Full Circle acknowledged the impact on its talented employees, who played a crucial role in building the foundation of the Skate franchise. The company also highlighted the positive response to the game's Early Access version, which has been available since September 2023. However, details about the number of affected employees remain unclear, as Full Circle did not provide specifics.
Founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Electronic Arts (EA), Full Circle is known for reviving the Skate series, which had been on an indefinite hiatus since its original release in the late 2000s. The new iteration, often referred to as Skate 4, was initially envisioned as a live-service game with a sandbox-style multiplayer experience. This shift away from the traditional single-player model has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some praising its free-to-play accessibility and others criticizing microtransactions, online-only gameplay restrictions, and homogenized character designs.
The current state of Skate remains uncertain, as Full Circle continues to navigate its restructuring and the upcoming release of the game. While the Early Access version has been available for nearly six months, it has garnered mixed reviews, with critics pointing out both its innovative aspects and its shortcomings. As the gaming industry grapples with financial pressures and shifting consumer expectations, Full Circle's layoffs reflect broader challenges faced by AAA studios in balancing innovation with profitability.
For tech enthusiasts and gamers alike, this news highlights the precarious nature of employment in the gaming industry, where job cuts often follow high-profile projects and ambitious overhauls. The fate of Skate, alongside Full Circle's restructuring, will likely remain a focal point for both fans of the series and those interested in the future of AAA game development.
Verticals
tech
Originally published on Mashable on 3/1/2026