The developer of GTFO* and the highly anticipated Den of Wolves has announced a sweeping restructuring effort, including layoffs that affect a significant portion of its team. Among those departing are several co-founders, signaling a shift in leadership and operations as the studio prepares for its next major release.
While the exact number of employees impacted remains undisclosed, the departures extend beyond mid-level staff to include key figures in the studio’s founding. One of its co-founders, Hjalmar Vikström, has already transitioned to an independent path, focusing on smaller projects and stepping away from the pressures of large-scale development. His departure, confirmed via a public post, aligns with broader changes at the studio, which has framed the move as necessary to refocus on Den of Wolves—a project described as a cyberpunk heist experience with corporate dystopia themes.
The studio’s statement emphasizes a deliberate reassessment of its structure, aimed at ensuring Den of Wolves meets its full potential. Two remaining co-founders, Ulf Andersson and Simon Viklund—both veterans of the Payday series—are positioned to lead the studio forward, though the extent of their roles and the studio’s long-term composition remain unclear.
A Project in Transition
Den of Wolves was first unveiled at The Game Awards in 2023 as a bold leap from GTFO’s chaotic co-op shooter roots. Unlike its predecessor, the game is designed as a large-scale heist experience set in a corporate-controlled cyberpunk world, blending stealth mechanics with team-based objectives. Recent pre-alpha footage, shared at the PC Gaming Show in December 2025, offered a glimpse into its evolving gameplay, though no official release window has been set.
The restructuring follows a pattern seen in other smaller studios recently. Just days earlier, Wildlight Entertainment—developer of the online shooter Highguard—announced layoffs affecting most of its staff shortly after launch. For 10 Chambers, the changes reflect both internal challenges and the demands of scaling a project of Den of Wolves’ ambition.
What This Means for the Game—and Its Fans
The layoffs and leadership shifts raise questions about the studio’s ability to deliver Den of Wolves on its promised scale. With no confirmed release date and a development team in flux, the project’s timeline and scope remain uncertain. However, the studio’s insistence on a ‘thoughtful’ approach suggests a deliberate effort to stabilize operations before finalizing plans.
For players, the key takeaway is patience. Den of Wolves* was always intended as a long-term endeavor, and the current restructuring may delay milestones but could also set the stage for a more polished final product. Whether the studio can retain its creative vision amid these changes will be critical in determining the game’s ultimate success.
As of now, no further details on funding, partnerships, or a revised development roadmap have been disclosed. The focus remains on the game itself—and the team’s ability to navigate this transition without compromising its core identity.
