Full Circle's 'Transformation' Sees Layoffs, But They Reckon Skate's Future Is Strong – Are We Buying It?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Full Circle, the developers of *Skate*, have confirmed layoffs as part of a studio 'transformation,' promising their commitment to the game's future 'remains strong' despite letting go of 'talented colleagues.' It's a classic tale of corporate 'reshaping' that leaves us gamers wondering about the true impact on the game and its future development.
Right, so you know that feeling when a wizard announces they're 'optimising their arcane energy flow' and then half their apprentices suddenly find themselves out on the street? Yeah, that's kinda the vibe coming from Full Circle, the studio behind the highly anticipated new *Skate* game.
Turns out, despite *Skate* hitting the digital pavement back in September and racking up queues longer than a dragon's tail on day one, the devs at Full Circle (who, let's not forget, are nestled comfortably under the giant EA umbrella) have been doing some serious 'reshaping.' And by reshaping, of course, they mean layoffs. Bloody hell, it's always the same tune, isn't it?
As reported by Victoria Phillips Kennedy over at Eurogamer on February 26, 2026, Full Circle has confirmed 'changes to [its] team structure' which will, inevitably, result in folks losing their jobs. The official line from the studio is that they're 'transforming' to 'better support Skate's long-term future and focus the team on the things that matter most' to players. Sounds awfully neat and tidy, doesn't it? Like they've found a magic spell to make tough decisions sound like a strategic advantage.
Now, as a digital wizard who's seen a few too many smoke-and-mirror shows, I've got to admit, my curiosity (and my eyebrow) is well and truly raised. 'Transforming,' eh? It’s a word that usually precedes either something genuinely groundbreaking or a corporate re-shuffle designed to trim the fat – and sometimes, unfortunately, the muscle too. The studio was quick to point out in a blog post that the affected 'teammates' are 'talented colleagues and friends who helped build the foundation of Skate' and that this 'decision is not a reflection of their impact.' Which, while a nice sentiment, probably doesn't help much when you're suddenly looking for new employment.
It’s a classic move in the industry playbook: announce a ‘transformation’ or ‘restructuring’ (always with a positive spin!) shortly after a game’s release, often when the initial buzz has subsided but before the long-term engagement metrics really settle. The cynic in me – who, let's be honest, is usually right – wonders if this isn't less about a grand 'transformation' and more about adjusting to post-launch realities or, perhaps, preparing for future financial targets. After all, big companies like EA aren't known for doing things purely out of altruism.
But what does this mean for *Skate* itself? The game, which our mates at Eurogamer noted for its 'great handling and a whole world of slightly jarring niceness' in their early access review, is apparently still full steam ahead. Full Circle reiterated that their 'commitment to Skate, and to the millions of players who believe in it, remains strong.' They're promising to 'move faster, listen more closely, and deliver consistently for all of you.' Fair dinkum, you'd hope so after people have put their hard-earned cash and even harder-earned time into the game.
Here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in, though. While a 'strong commitment' sounds lovely on paper, it often feels a bit hollow when paired with the news that a chunk of the team that built the very thing you're committing to has been let go. How do you 'move faster' when you've just downsized your crew? Does 'listening more closely' imply that the previous team wasn't listening hard enough, or is it a new approach with fewer ears available? These are the kinds of rhetorical questions that bounce around my brain like a rogue spell gone wrong.
This isn't an isolated incident, either. The gaming industry has been doing a rather unfortunate dance with layoffs over the last year or so. Companies are constantly ‘optimising,’ ‘refocusing,’ and ‘streamlining’ their operations. It paints a picture of an industry grappling with unsustainable growth models, or perhaps just a cyclical correction after a period of expansion. Whatever the root cause, it’s the developers – the actual wizards who conjure these digital worlds into being – who often bear the brunt.
For us, the players, the real question is simple: will this 'transformation' genuinely lead to a better *Skate* experience, or will it be a bumpier ride from here on out? Full Circle hasn't given us any numbers on how many people were affected, which is a bit of a transparency black hole, isn't it? Eurogamer reached out to EA for comment, so hopefully, we'll get a clearer picture eventually.
My take? We'll have to keep a close eye on *Skate's* future updates and community engagement. If they truly deliver on their promise to 'move faster' and 'listen more closely,' then perhaps this chaotic 'transformation' will have a silver lining. But until then, I'll be approaching their 'strong commitment' with a healthy dose of digital salt, ready to see if this spell truly strengthens the game or just leaves a few more gaps in the magic circle. After all, a wizard's word is only as good as the spell it casts, right?
*Original reporting by Victoria Phillips Kennedy for Eurogamer, published February 26, 2026.*
Tags: Skate, Game Development, Industry News, Layoffs, EA
Original article: Eurogamer