Here's the info from the Vancouver Sun, for those that can't reach the link:
Marke Andrews and Fiona Anderson , Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2008
VANCOUVER -- Vancouver video game company Radical Entertainment will be laying off about 100 employees, almost half of its staff, the company confirmed Wednesday.
The cut-backs stem from a decision by the company's owner -- Activision Blizzard -- to reduce the number of titles Radical produces by half.
"Activision Blizzard is committed to making the best games possible and has elected at this time to reduce the number of titles that Radical is developing from four games to two," Leah Rubin, Radical's vice-president of human resources, said in an email. "Therefore, we will be proportionately reducing the size of our studio."
The reductions come in the wake of an ownership change last month that saw France-based Vivendi, which owns Radical, and American video software company Activision, join forces as Activision Blizzard.
At the time of the merger, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick told a Variety reporter that if projects didn't meet the company's requirements for return to shareholders and profitability they wouldn't be retained.
Two weeks ago, Activision Blizzard released a statement saying it would "realign staffing" at Radical Entertainment as well as at High Moon Studios, which is located in San Diego, spurring rumours that layoffs were imminent.
Radical was founded in 2001 and bought by Vivendi in 2005 for an undisclosed price. In 2007 the company hired almost 100 people, only half of whom came from British Columbia. Twelve were from other provinces and the rest came from outside Canada. The hiring spree brought the number of employees to more than 200.
Last month, Activision Blizzard said it would go ahead with five games or franchises including Radical's Crash Bandicoot, and Prototype, a new game created by Radical that will debut in 2009. Radical's hit title Scarface: The World is Yours was not listed. Rubin said Radical would be offering laid-off employees a number of tools and resources to help them find new employment.
The worst thing was the employees knew like 3 weeks before; we've been interviewing a ton of people from there ever since, so yay for us; but sad that 100(I heard 160) are now out on the street.
A few months ago Radical seemed like on the up swing, they had 4 projects going and we're hiring like nuts so it seemed like their business was pretty viable; but I'm a little confused at Activisions process in this, they seem to be killing their core gamer studios which means the only core games they'll have left are the blizzard quality ones and then they'll have abunch of waggle ware to make profits.
But agian, they were making profits anyway, so I don't see the point.
Yea, heard about this a while back, pretty goddamn terrible. Especially given the many other layoffs and studios closing in the Vancouver area lately. Not a good time for the industry.
Activision is fucking a lot of people over. Getting to the point where I really can't stand the company.
whoa, i just applied to Massive - the Swedish company, does this spell an era of no go with regards to the games industry?. Is this the credit crunch syndrome or coincedence?
I havn't started working yet and am trying to get over my "Modding Fever" symptoms and apply for some jobs...but all these layoff's are making me feel less optimistic about applying for a job that will let me settle for a good while, or almost makes me feel like companies are tired of trying new people & want to keep only veterans around for a certain # of years before they feel they can hire again to a studio population of what it was once at.:(
I havn't started working yet and am trying to get over my "Modding Fever" symptoms and apply for some jobs...but all these layoff's are making me feel less optimistic about applying for a job that will let me settle for a good while, or almost makes me feel like companies are tired of trying new people & want to keep only veterans around for a certain # of years before they feel they can hire again to a studio population of what it was once at.:(
Honeslty, those are just misconceptions. Yes the industry can be volatile, but ultimately there are a lot of good jobs out there that will allow you to settle down. And people new to the scene are still being hired, it's all about your attitude and portfolio.
Honeslty, those are just misconceptions. Yes the industry can be volatile, but ultimately there are a lot of good jobs out there that will allow you to settle down. And people new to the scene are still being hired, it's all about your attitude and portfolio.
Ah, never doubting in my mind about new hires & believe me i'm not judging the industry to a whole percentage, but given i'm a west-coaster i'm just under the impression that I should avoid more west-coast jobs due to the state of how our economy is in/at.
But I know it's just me thinking poorly over this situation, maybe my modding fever kicking in again :P
I don't think it has anything to do with 'where the industry is headed' or any of that nonsense. Businesses close, and businesses open. Yeah, layoffs suck.. But for every studio that shuts down, there are 100 more that are working just fine.
Replies
Any black n green affected?
Here's the info from the Vancouver Sun, for those that can't reach the link:
A few months ago Radical seemed like on the up swing, they had 4 projects going and we're hiring like nuts so it seemed like their business was pretty viable; but I'm a little confused at Activisions process in this, they seem to be killing their core gamer studios which means the only core games they'll have left are the blizzard quality ones and then they'll have abunch of waggle ware to make profits.
But agian, they were making profits anyway, so I don't see the point.
'if projects didn't meet the company's requirements for return to shareholders and profitability they wouldn't be retained.'
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54178
High Moon studios also in the layoffs
Activision is fucking a lot of people over. Getting to the point where I really can't stand the company.
I wish the best of luck to everyone who's parted ways with Radical and High Moon.
I hope that those remaining are allowed to finish your games well and proper still.
Activision has been pretty awesome to Raven, can't complain.
I guess these layoffs were just merger fatalities. Ultimately I'd imagine it's best for their business plan.
'Massive Entertainment and Swordfish Studios are both under consideration for sale or closure'
sucks really
Honeslty, those are just misconceptions. Yes the industry can be volatile, but ultimately there are a lot of good jobs out there that will allow you to settle down. And people new to the scene are still being hired, it's all about your attitude and portfolio.
Ah, never doubting in my mind about new hires & believe me i'm not judging the industry to a whole percentage, but given i'm a west-coaster i'm just under the impression that I should avoid more west-coast jobs due to the state of how our economy is in/at.
But I know it's just me thinking poorly over this situation, maybe my modding fever kicking in again :P