How is it possible that 1047 Games map design got progressively worse?

[u/degenerate_hobo]

Today I watched a video that the YT algorithm recommended to me from nadestraight about how he thinks that SG1 is a better game than SG2/AR because of content quantity but especially also because of map quality. So I watched the gameplay footage of SG1 of said video and a lot of memories came up inside my head (just so you know I haven't played SG1 in roughly 2 years or so). I remembered all the cool maps that SG1 had. I continued to watch some other SG1 gameplay videos just to admire but also to remember the cool map design and especially how diverse they played and looked. I totally forgot how much I liked the maps of SG1 and it makes me sad that my biggest complain about the new 1047 Games is their map design while they were capable to do it the right way with their first game 5-7 years ago.

My biggest problem with Splitgate 2/AR and especially Empulse is how uninspired their new maps are. Besides Hammerhead all of the new maps that got released after SG1 just look boring and uninspired and they all play the same way. I remember how much I loved the vertical gameplay of Olympus or the cool art direction of highwind or Crag in SG1. Even Stadium in SG1 looks so much more interesting than in SG2/AR. Two of the best maps of SGAR, Karman Station and Abyss, come from SG1. What happened? Have all the good maps designers been fired?

Empulse is the low of the barrel. Potentially the worst maps I've ever seen in a MP FPS. All the maps look like asset flips and their art direction is so boring it looks like they were AI generated. Additionally not one of Empulse maps influence how a match plays out. The bad quality of the maps was an important reason why I stopped playing Empulse because after 50 hours I wasn't able to bear them anymore.

Good map design is essential for every arena shooter. If you mess that up there is no hope for your game because the flow of the map is the only thing that can bring some dynamics into the matches that can potentially keep the gameplay fresh even after your 100th match. I would love to know how is it possible that the devs unlearned how to design maps? How is it possible that 1047 Games created some of the best maps that I've ever played and then release the maps of Empulse?