Tag

Studio Closures

All articles tagged with #studio closures

business1 month ago•3 min saved

Ubisoft launches major reset, cancels six games including Sands of Time remake, and shutters two studios

Ubisoft has launched a major reset, canceling six games (including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake), closing two studios (Stockholm and Halifax) and delaying seven titles to focus on open-world, live-service games; shares fell about 33% on the news as the company pursues sustainable growth amid rising development costs, with Vantage Studios tasked to turn its big franchises into annual brands.

via BBC|

#business #live-service-games #open-world-games

technology8 months ago•6 min saved

Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs in Xbox and Tech Divisions Amid Industry Tensions

Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone significant layoffs, affecting over 9,000 employees across various projects including the cancellation of games like Everwild and Perfect Dark, and the closure of studios such as The Initiative. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring aimed at focusing on strategic growth areas amid industry challenges, with Xbox emphasizing support for impacted staff despite the difficult circumstances.

via Eurogamer|

#game-cancellations #industry-impact #microsoft

technology8 months ago•4 min saved

Microsoft's Massive Layoffs Impact Xbox and Cancel Multiple Games

Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting around 9,000 employees worldwide, including multiple Xbox studios such as Raven Software, Turn 10 Studios, Rare, and others, leading to game cancellations like Everwild and the shutdown of projects like the MMORPG Blackbird. Despite the layoffs, Xbox's business remains strong, with Microsoft focusing on prioritizing its most promising opportunities to ensure future success.

via GameSpot|

#cancelled-games #gaming-industry #microsoft-layoffs

business1 year ago•1 min saved

Ubisoft to Close XDefiant in 2025 Amid Layoffs and Refunds

Ubisoft will sunset its game XDefiant in 2025, leading to the closure of its San Francisco and Osaka studios and affecting nearly 300 employees. The decision comes as the game failed to attract enough players to justify further investment. While some team members will transition to other roles within Ubisoft, a small team will maintain XDefiant until its servers shut down in June 2025. This move is part of Ubisoft's broader cost reduction strategy, which includes targeted restructuring and reduced external spending.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#business #gaming-industry #layoffs

business1 year ago•2 min saved

Take-Two Sells Indie Label Private Division to Mystery Buyer

Take-Two Interactive has sold its boutique publishing label, Private Division, to an undisclosed buyer, transferring rights to most of its live and unreleased titles. This follows the closure of Private Division's studios, including Intercept Games and Roll7, and significant staff layoffs. Take-Two retains the game No Rest for the Wicked, while the buyer acquires titles like Kerbal Space Program 2 and Tales of the Shire. Take-Two aims to focus on larger AAA projects, such as the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.

via Polygon|

#business #kerbal-space-program #private-division

business1 year ago•1 min saved

Take-Two Plans to Close or Sell Indie Label Private Division

Take-Two is reportedly planning to sell or shut down its indie label, Private Division, and close Kerbal Space Program 2 developer Intercept Games and OlliOlli World developer Roll7. This follows a plan to lay off 5% of its workforce. Despite CEO Strauss Zelnick's claims that the studios weren't shut down, reports confirm their closure. A small team remains at Private Division to support remaining projects, but the label is no longer supported by Take-Two.

via Video Games Chronicle|

#business #indie-games #layoffs

gaming-industry1 year ago•2 min saved

Take-Two to Shut Down Indie Label Private Division Amid Troubles

Take-Two Interactive is reportedly looking to divest its indie label, Private Division, following a series of layoffs and studio closures. The company has been accused of mismanagement, and while there were talks with Paradox Interactive to acquire some studios, those discussions have fallen through. Private Division's future remains uncertain, with some interest from a private equity firm.

via Kotaku|

#acquisition #gaming-industry #layoffs

gaming-industry1 year ago•3 min saved

Kerbal Space Program 2 Team Faces June Layoffs Amid Conflicting Reports

Take-Two Interactive is reportedly shutting down its indie label, Private Division, and its associated studios, including Intercept Games and Roll7. Despite initial denials, sources confirm the closures are imminent, with efforts to sell off the label and its assets facing mixed success. Employees express frustration over mismanagement and unreasonable sales targets, lamenting the loss of a passionate and talented team.

via IGN|

#gaming-industry #indie-games #kerbal-space-program-2

gaming-industry2 years ago•3 min saved

"Piranha Bytes Fights Closure Rumors: Don't Count Us Out Yet"

Piranha Bytes, the developer behind Gothic and Elex II, is facing closure rumors amidst a difficult situation, but CEO Michael Rüve urges fans not to write them off yet as they seek a new publisher or buyer. The gaming industry has seen a heartbreaking string of layoffs, with over 3,000 jobs lost in 2024 and more than 10,000 in 2023, including closures of studios like Volition Games and Free Radical Design under Embracer Group. The industry continues to grapple with the human cost of these closures and layoffs, with hopes for a more stable future for affected teams.

via Game Informer|

#embracer-group #game-development #gaming-industry

gaming2 years ago•8 min saved

Embracer Group's Plans for Lord of the Rings Worries Fans as Studios Close and Games are Cancelled

Embracer Group, the parent company of THQ Nordic and Gearbox Software, has closed multiple studios and cancelled several games in an effort to streamline operations and focus on profitable projects. The company did not disclose which studios were affected or which games were cancelled, but stated that the decisions were made to ensure long-term success and profitability.

via Anime News Network|

#embracer-group #game-cancellations #game-development

business2 years ago•2 min saved

Embracer Group undergoes major cutbacks and cancellations following failed deal.

Embracer Group is restructuring its business, which includes game cancellations, layoffs, and selling or closing studios, in an attempt to reduce costs and make the business more efficient after a $2 billion deal fell through. The restructuring process will be completed by March next year, and it is not yet clear which studios the company plans to close or sell. Embracer says the game cancellations are "almost entirely" for projects that haven't been announced and for which it projects low returns.

via Engadget|

#business #embracer-group #game-development