Auroch Digital has reposted a staff-restructuring announcement, two days after deleting its first notice and roughly two weeks after releasing Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 to strong player reviews on Steam.
The Bristol-based studio initially said on October 26 that about a quarter of its employees would be affected by the restructuring. The announcement was later removed, creating uncertainty over whether the studio had changed its plans or was revising the wording.
“So even if you make a good, successful game, it’s not enough to protect you or your job.
The crash can’t come soon enough.”
— SFF, October 28, 2026
Auroch confirms restructuring again
On October 28, Auroch published a new announcement confirming that layoffs are still expected. The revised statement does not specify how many roles will be removed.
A now-deleted LinkedIn message had previously put the figure at approximately 25 percent of the studio’s workforce.
The company attributed the decision to difficult market conditions affecting game developers and described the industry as turbulent and uncertain. Auroch also framed the cuts as part of a restructuring intended to help the studio operate through that period.
Strong reviews have not guaranteed stability
The timing has drawn attention because Boltgun 2 launched in mid-October and currently holds a 96 percent positive rating on Steam. That score is based on fewer than 1,000 user reviews, so it represents a much smaller sample than the original game’s more than 11,000 reviews.
The first Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun arrived in 2023 and later became available through Game Pass. Auroch followed it with Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! earlier in 2026, before releasing the sequel.
The studio is also scheduled to release Warhammer Survivors on November 10, 2026. Even with several well-received projects arriving in a relatively short period, the latest announcement shows that positive reception does not necessarily provide enough financial runway to maintain a team at its existing size.
For more coverage of changing game and arcade-industry conditions, visit RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog. Readers exploring dedicated gaming hardware can also compare arcade machines or use the Arcade Machine Buying Guide when planning a home setup.
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