Black Rock Studios hit with layoffs.

Baj Singh · May 2011

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6312318.html

Sounds like it could be around 100 employees, not good news. Pure and Split Second were great games but went to bargain bin pretty quickly.

Hope everyone lands on their feet.

rumblesushi · May 2011

Damn that's too bad. I know a level designer from Black Rock.

I wonder why they both went to cheapo status so quick? They both got very solid reviews.

slipsius · May 2011

good luck to everyone. hope you all land on your feet

pure was siiiiick. one of my favourite racing games. but, what sucked was the lack of couch play. EVERY racing game should have couch play

crazyfool · May 2011

Another hammer blow to the UK games industry

I know some cool artists up there so I hope you all are safe or find work soon.

Kwramm · May 2011

sucks

I interviewed for a position there and really liked their style. Seemed like a good place in a nice location.

Skamberin · May 2011

Damn, I remember seeing their seminar on how they made Pure back in Animex 09. Real nice people, passionate too.
Just no room for creativity or risks in the industry anymore

unless you're indie and low budget.
Best of luck to those affected

easterislandnick · May 2011

I did 6 months contract Enviro art on Split Second. There's some real talent there and some great guys. Disney dropped the ball on marketing it though, released on the same day as Red Dead and in the same month as Blur was so stupid. Why would you release 2 new racing ips in the same month, it splits the market! Activision and Disney should have reached a compromise and one should have delayed 3 months, in the end neither sold well, Bizarre went bust and Black Rock is shafted 100 jobs. So fucking stupid. Pure sold 3.2 million copies in the end so cancelling the sequel is so idiotic!

Best of luck to all of you out there.

Xoliul · May 2011

The Pure sales were mostly due to the games bundled with xboxes. They barely amde anything off that.

easterislandnick · May 2011

Yeah, about half the sales were from bundles but it was very profitable for Disney, or that's what they made out anyway! 3.2 million people have played the game, a sequel would have been a no brainer!

Nemlet17 · May 2011

Sorry to hear this. Wish them the best of luck.

skylebones · May 2011

Sadly I think it has more to do with Disney's new social/mobile direction than with sales numbers.

I really wish everyone the best of luck. That place was full of talent and I hope those affected land on their feet quickly.

d1ver · May 2011

Sad news. Disney's been closing stuff like crazy recently.:(

Best of luck to all affected.

Mark Dygert · May 2011

Yea Disney is shifting its focus to small time gaming and away from large studios. They shut down Junction Point and Epic Mickey did really well. Still its not what they want to do with their money. Mix that with the massive tax break Canada is handing out I doubt we'll see that many new studios pop up in England...

If you're at a big studio owned by Disney, I would get your portfolio in order.

Good luck to those effected...

Sean VanGorder · May 2011

Damn, best of luck to them.

scotthomer · May 2011

^ Yeah, I hope everyone concerned comes outta this unscathed.

Maph · May 2011

Ouch, really sorry to hear that! I wish all the artists/coders/etc... that got laid off a new job asap!
It's pretty disheartening to see the UK's game industry taking such a beating lately. I mean, the country held some of the greatest studios in Europe...

confracto · May 2011

Mark Dygert wrote: »

Yea Disney is shifting its focus to small time gaming and away from large studios. They shut down Junction Point and Epic Mickey did really well. Still its not what they want to do with their money. Mix that with the massive tax break Canada is handing out I doubt we'll see that many new studios pop up in England...

If you're at a big studio owned by Disney, I would get your portfolio in order.

Good luck to those effected...

you're forgetting that disney just closed down propaganda here in vancouver just a few months ago too.

D4V1DC · May 2011

Good luck to those effected, seems It's not over is It.

Black Rock Studios hit with layoffs.

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