The increasingly tricky business of video games
07-23-24 | 03:54 PM
#76
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Update: Humble Games confirms layoffs amid 'restructuring', denies full shutdown
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/busine...blishing-label
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/busine...blishing-label
07-31-24 | 10:30 AM
#77
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Bungie (bought by Sony a little while back) is eliminating 220 jobs.
they also mention that 155 roles are being moved to Sony Entertainment Interactive, but it’s not clear if that’s 155 of the 220 eliminated roles, or a different set of 155 people being moved.
Either way, that’s a big change for the market leader and these kinds of layoffs are always disappointing. I hope everyone gets a decent severance and finds something new soon.
they also mention that 155 roles are being moved to Sony Entertainment Interactive, but it’s not clear if that’s 155 of the 220 eliminated roles, or a different set of 155 people being moved.
Either way, that’s a big change for the market leader and these kinds of layoffs are always disappointing. I hope everyone gets a decent severance and finds something new soon.
07-31-24 | 12:54 PM
#78
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Different set of numbers, yeah. 220 layoffs, 155 moving over to SIE, 75 starting a new studio within Sony. Bungie's headcount is going to drop by about a third.
07-31-24 | 03:44 PM
#79
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Sounds right. Also that those remaining within Bungie are going to be focused entirely on Destiny and Marathon, the latter of which is a bit of a risk now, given that it seems to be yet another extraction shooter.
07-31-24 | 06:44 PM
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
08-07-24 | 02:47 PM
#81
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Meta shuts down Ready at Dawn
08-07-24 | 03:11 PM
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
08-07-24 | 03:41 PM
#83
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
The Order: 1886, while flawed, is worth revisiting for those who still own a copy.
Apparently their VR games are well regarded, but I haven’t played them.
Apparently their VR games are well regarded, but I haven’t played them.
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08-07-24 | 04:26 PM
#84
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
As to the Bungie Fiasco....there's apparently more to all this and not good for Bungie..... and a lot of former (laid off) employees are firing back at Management and CEO....
Bungie Misled Sony About Its Financial Position Ahead of Acquisition – Report Bungie Misled Sony About Its Financial Position - Report (playstationlifestyle.net)
On top of that it appears the Layoffs were planned months ago....
Bungie's Mass Layoff Was Reportedly Planned Months Ago, Regardless Of The Final Shape's Success (Or Lack Thereof) - PlayStation Universe (psu.com)
Bungie Misled Sony About Its Financial Position Ahead of Acquisition – Report Bungie Misled Sony About Its Financial Position - Report (playstationlifestyle.net)
On top of that it appears the Layoffs were planned months ago....
Bungie's Mass Layoff Was Reportedly Planned Months Ago, Regardless Of The Final Shape's Success (Or Lack Thereof) - PlayStation Universe (psu.com)
Last edited by K&AJones; 08-07-24 at 04:39 PM. Reason: Add new content
08-11-24 | 07:35 PM
#85
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Finally some good news!
Tango Gameworks has been revived! Krafton Inc. has acquired the studio in addition to the Hi-fi Rush brand, presumably for future games.
From the press release:
I don’t know how much of the staff gets to stick around, but this announcement seems to imply this deal started shortly after MS announced they were closing Tango, so maybe most of the staff are now employed by Krafton, possibly?
Anyway, this is great. Can’t wait to see what Tango does next.
Tango Gameworks has been revived! Krafton Inc. has acquired the studio in addition to the Hi-fi Rush brand, presumably for future games.
From the press release:
"Krafton Inc today welcomed the talented people of Tango Gameworks to their team, marking a exciting moment in the company's global expansion and its first significant investment in the Japanese video game market," the press release reads. "This strategic move will include the rights to Tango Gameworks' acclaimed IP, Hi-Fi RUSH."
Anyway, this is great. Can’t wait to see what Tango does next.
Last edited by Dan; 08-11-24 at 07:42 PM.
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09-01-24 | 11:51 AM
#86
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Some layoffs at Ballistic Moon, the studio responsible for the remake of Until Dawn, which is coming out soon.
09-01-24 | 12:13 PM
#87
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
"Thanks for a job well done. There's the door."
09-01-24 | 01:43 PM
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
It was a similar story with Ouka Studios, which was gutted after contractual obligations on Visions of Mana were fulfilled.
Chinese video game company NetEase has reportedly laid off most staff at Visions of Mana developer Ouka Studios with plans to shut it down altogether.
Anonymous sources familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that the studio, which only opened in 2020, will be kept afloat by the few remaining members until its final games have been released. Visions of Mana only launched yesterday, August 29, 2024, and earned high critical praise. (IGN's Visions of Mana review returned an 8/10.)
The closure of Ouka Studios is reportedly due to major Chinese companies like NetEase and its rival Tencent shifting away from a Japan-centric approach.
Anonymous sources familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that the studio, which only opened in 2020, will be kept afloat by the few remaining members until its final games have been released. Visions of Mana only launched yesterday, August 29, 2024, and earned high critical praise. (IGN's Visions of Mana review returned an 8/10.)
The closure of Ouka Studios is reportedly due to major Chinese companies like NetEase and its rival Tencent shifting away from a Japan-centric approach.
09-02-24 | 09:34 AM
#89
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Layoffs at Rocksteady after Suicide Squad majorly underperformed.
09-12-24 | 06:30 AM
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Another 650 layoffs at Xbox/Microsoft Gaming, primarily corporate and supporting staffs. (Link!)
09-12-24 | 05:14 PM
#91
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Gotta say, I've never seen this happen before. The entire Annapurna Interactive staff just quit.
No idea how this affects the upcoming Control 2, but it doesn't sound good.
No idea how this affects the upcoming Control 2, but it doesn't sound good.
09-12-24 | 08:50 PM
#92
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Control 2 is very much primarily a Remedy endeavor. The partnership with Annapurna likely means a bit of a shakeup regarding Control 2, but I wouldn’t expect that news to drastically affect the game this early in development.
Still, pretty wild for the staff to walk out like that.
Still, pretty wild for the staff to walk out like that.
09-12-24 | 11:11 PM
#93
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09-12-24 | 11:17 PM
#94
DVD Talk Hero
09-13-24 | 09:57 AM
#95
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
They were more of a publisher anyway weren't they?
10-22-24 | 12:27 PM
#96
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Sad, but not unexpected.
Like I've said before : If Ubisoft consistently slashes the price of their AAA games in a matter of weeks or months after release, how can they expect them to sell well at launch?
Like I've said before : If Ubisoft consistently slashes the price of their AAA games in a matter of weeks or months after release, how can they expect them to sell well at launch?
10-22-24 | 12:30 PM
#97
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Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Yeah I'm kind of curious what Ubisofts sales and expectations are for their titles, because they have certainly trained me never to look at their games at launch.
10-22-24 | 12:31 PM
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10-23-24 | 08:27 AM
#99
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The increasingly tricky business of video games
Speaking of, why hasn't Star Wars: Outlaws gone on sale yet? C'mon Ubi.
10-23-24 | 10:55 AM
#100
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