WB Seattle layoffs

Lee3dee · Jul 2012

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/layoffs-hit-warner-bros-seattle-studios/

Hope everyone lands on their feet.

Thegodzero · Jul 2012

75+ people last time, now 8 months later 60+ people... So now my former work is down to what 50-75 people?

chriszuko · Jul 2012

These last 3 months have been horrid for many studios.. Best of luck to anyone who has gone through it on landing a new job quick!

Thegodzero · Jul 2012

Just before fear 2 shipped monolith was at 120+, post fear 2 we lost 30+ people. Then we added two other studios of 60+ but laid off 20+ per studio. Then last year 70+, and now 60+. That's just the layoffs...

Thegodzero · Jul 2012

Just to bump this, they let go a lot of really talented folks yesterday so if you have any openings you might want to reach out to those guys. Don't fear poaching as its not far from being called a sinking ship at this point.

Mark Dygert · Jul 2012

That's awful, I hope everyone saw it coming and could prepare, I also hope you guys land on your feet!

If anyone is interested we have an environment artist position that is open, 3-3.5mo contract.

http://www.herinteractive.com/job-description.php?id=201207201

konstruct · Jul 2012

FUCK-

on the other hand though, anyone who got laid off can just go down the street and get a new job right?. Seattle, The land of game developers!!

Maybe I`m wrong though. Ive always just assumed that about Seattle and have had this idea that if you worked in games there, being laid off wouldn't be quite so scary due the the large volume of studios.

Can anyone speak to that?? It would be nice to confirm this notion, one way or the other.

Mark Dygert · Jul 2012

There are quite a few developers in the area, probably less than there used to be.

It seems like that sentiment is more true for Texas?
According to gamedevmap.com there are:
88 in Seattle
12 in Portland
100 Total, give or take 20-30 the list looks kind of inaccurate.

09 in Huston
30 in Dallas
82 in Austin
121 Total, give or take ?? I'm not sure.

So yea there are more in Seattle than I thought but it looks like a lot of them are pretty small time.

ErichWK · Jul 2012

This sinks my heart. We here at Psyonix have a big long term rad AAA project, plus our smaller indie projects we do on the side, if any of you laid off dudes want to work in downtown san diego message me. We are looking hard for FX and Lighting and Tech dudes.
http://www.psyonix.com/

Seriously. I loved Fear 2 and have mad respect for you guys.

JacqueChoi · Jul 2012

I absolutely loved the games Monolith made.

Surprised you guys weren't given an opportunity to tranfer to the WB Montreal studio. They've been trying to staff up there for a while now.

firestarter · Jul 2012

JacqueChoi wrote: »

I absolutely loved the games Monolith made.

This indeed. Just a week or so ago I checked the Monolith site for job positions, and even a faint glimmer of another NOLF game... It would be crazy to dissolve this company.

Best of luck to all those affected.

Thegodzero · Jul 2012

Sadly, there will never be another NOLF game from monolith\snowblind\surreal\WGB Seattle. Not to mention fear, Condemned, blood, or shogo.

nyx702 · Jul 2012

Mark Dygert wrote: »

There are quite a few developers in the area, probably less than there used to be.

It seems like that sentiment is more true for Texas?
According to gamedevmap.com there are:
88 in Seattle
12 in Portland
100 Total, give or take 20-30 the list looks kind of inaccurate.

09 in Huston
30 in Dallas
82 in Austin
121 Total, give or take ?? I'm not sure.

So yea there are more in Seattle than I thought but it looks like a lot of them are pretty small time.

This is interesting. I was wondering this myself recently. It seems like Texas has caught up to WA. If you just count the big guys Texas might beat WA.

However you are comparing a whole state to one city.