SuperGaming, the developer behind Indus Battle Royale, MaskGun, and Silly Royale, has been undergoing significant layoffs since December 2024. Nearly 45 employees—about a third of the company’s 150-member workforce—have already been let go, with more layoffs anticipated in the coming days. The situation has been distressing, with reports of employees leaving in tears.
One of the most shocking developments has been the sudden dismissal of the entire QA team overnight. Sources indicate that financial difficulties and the underwhelming performance of Indus Battle Royale are the key factors driving these layoffs. The game, which was expected to be a major success, failed to meet expectations, leading to drastic cost-cutting measures.
SuperGaming had even announced an esports tournament for Indus Battle Royale with a ₹2 crore prize pool. However, despite some initial rounds taking place, there have been no updates for over six months, leaving the tournament’s future uncertain.
The layoffs haven’t been limited to junior employees. Reports suggest that even top-level executives have been impacted. The company’s VP has reportedly transitioned into a consultant role with a major pay cut, allegedly due to high salary expenses.
There are also claims that undergraduate interns were hired with starting salaries of ₹12 LPA or more, raising concerns over SuperGaming’s spending decisions. Additionally, the company is said to have spent over ₹25 lakh on just 10 Instagram reels as part of its marketing and PR efforts. These financial decisions are now under scrutiny as the company struggles to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive gaming market.
With growing uncertainty, several employees have already left, while many others are planning to resign soon. The layoffs have been happening in multiple rounds, causing anxiety among the remaining workforce.
SuperGaming has yet to make an official statement detailing the full extent of the crisis, but industry insiders suggest that the company is facing severe financial instability. The situation has left a significant impact on the gaming community, with many former employees now searching for new opportunities.
SuperGaming co-founder Roby John previously stated that around $10 million had been invested in the development of Indus Battle Royale. The game was heavily promoted as a “Made in India” title, but some reports indicate that its app store support shows Singapore as its location, whereas other SuperGaming titles, like Battle Stars, list Pune.
There is also speculation that nearly 80% of the budget was spent on marketing, promotions, and PR rather than actual game development.
Addressing the layoffs, Roby John stated:
“We’ve restructured our teams to match our strategic goals. Team compositions have changed to align with our current objectives, and it was a tough call to part ways with some team members. However, they have been provided with adequate severance and support.”
Despite this, the reality remains that Indus Battle Royale has not met expectations, leading to these drastic measures.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that even the most promising studios are not immune to market volatility. With further layoffs expected in the coming days, SuperGaming’s future remains uncertain.
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