Splitgate Dev 1047 Games Hits a Rough Patch: Layoffs Amidst Empulse Release
In a sudden and unsettling turn of events, 1047 Games, the studio behind the popular VR shooter series Splitgate, has laid off staff. The news comes just weeks after the launch of their latest game, Empulse, which was touted as a Titanfall-inspired shooter designed to shake up the VR gaming scene.
According to multiple team members who have taken to LinkedIn to bid farewell, the layoffs are the third wave of studio cuts in recent months. An associate art director wrote that they would be leaving the company due to “the third wave of studio layoffs,” while a community specialist shared their own goodbye message, saying that it had been an “interesting ride” with its fair share of bumps and close calls.
The news is particularly concerning given 1047 Games’ recent struggles. Just last year, the studio laid off staff and shut down the original Splitgate in an effort to revamp its sequel after launching too early. CEO Ian Proulx explained at the time that the company had bitten off more than it could chew with ambitious goals for Splitgate 2.
The layoffs have left many wondering what this means for the future of Empulse, which was designed to be a flagship title for the studio. With its release just weeks ago, it’s unclear whether the game will continue to receive support and updates without the original development team behind it.
For fans of VR gaming, the news is a sobering reminder that even the most promising projects can falter. Despite 1047 Games’ earlier successes with Splitgate, which surpassed 13 million downloads in open beta, the studio’s struggles highlight the challenges faced by developers in the ever-evolving world of virtual reality.
As the industry continues to push forward with new technologies and innovations, it’s clear that even the most well-intentioned projects can stumble. But for VR enthusiasts who have grown attached to the Splitgate series, this news is a harsh reminder of just how fragile the development process can be.
The future of Empulse and 1047 Games remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the VR gaming landscape is constantly shifting, and developers must adapt quickly to stay ahead. As we wait to see what’s next for 1047 Games, fans can only hope that their beloved franchise will continue to thrive in some form.
Source: Game Developer XR — 2026-07-21