Square Enix confirmed layoffs across North America and Europe in November 2025, but did not disclose how many employees would be affected. Game Developer reported that IGN estimated well over 100 people would be impacted. That figure was a media-reported estimate, not a company-confirmed final count.
How many jobs were cut?
Square Enix did not publish a headcount for the November 2025 layoffs. Game Developer’s November 7, 2025 report cited IGN for the estimate that well over 100 employees would be affected. The available reporting does not verify the final number of people whose jobs were ultimately eliminated.
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Where were the layoffs, and what did Square Enix say?
The cuts covered Square Enix operations in North America and Europe. The company told IGN: “We are reorganizing our operations in North America and Europe to strengthen our development structure and to drive a globally integrated marketing strategy. This was an extremely difficult decision, made following careful consideration and analysis by our leadership, in order to best position the Group’s long-term growth.” Game Developer also reported the company’s statement that it was grateful to departing employees for their contributions and committed to treating them with respect and providing support during the transition.
How did the layoffs fit into Square Enix’s wider restructuring?
The November 2025 cuts were part of a broader effort to restructure overseas publishing and review the organization of overseas studio development. Reporting on the plan described several intended changes:
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- DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy – the first three games of the mainline DRAGON QUEST series. Featuring vibrant HD-2D graphics, new and modernized features, and a refined narrative, players are invited to set out on an epic fantasy adventure to save the world from a dark evil.
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- Closing overseas development studios.
- Consolidating development functions in Japan.
- Integrating global management of intellectual properties previously overseen by overseas studios.
- Reviewing development support and personnel allocation across the group.
Square Enix’s stated goals included strengthening global publishing capabilities and improving operational efficiency. Game Developer reported an annual cost-savings target exceeding 3 billion yen, which its report converted to about $19.5 million. That dollar figure is the contemporaneous conversion reported by Game Developer, not a current exchange-rate calculation. GamesRadar+ covered the overseas restructuring plan.
Were the layoffs caused by Square Enix’s AI plans?
The available reporting does not establish that AI caused the layoffs. Around the same period, Square Enix set a goal to automate 70% of QA and debugging tasks in game development by the end of 2027 using generative AI. This was a future target, not a reported achievement. The work was associated with a joint research team involving Square Enix engineers and the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Laboratory. PC Gamer reported on the automation target. The fact that the target and layoffs were announced around the same time does not show that one caused the other.
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How does this differ from Square Enix’s 2024 restructuring?
Square Enix had announced a separate restructuring affecting its US and European offices in 2024. PC Gamer reported that the earlier announcement did not specify a number and discussed structural reforms to the company’s European and American offices. PC Gamer’s 2024 report covers that episode. It should not be combined with the November 2025 layoffs: the announcements were separate, and neither event’s employee count was officially disclosed in the reporting cited here.
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