200 employes and three studio teams have been let go in a massive re-structure by game publisher THQ.
Sad news today for two local studios, who have been shut down as part of a major restructure - or right-sizing, as the THQ President puts it. Both BlueTongue Entertainment and THQ Studio Australia, along with a Pheonix, US-based development team, are no more.
All up, the shutdowns will see 200 people out of work, though THQ has pointed out that all affected can re-apply for any open positions.
The restructure also sees THQ changing its publishing focus. It is moving away from children's titles and movie-based games, and it has suspended any further development on the MX vs ATV franchise.
“With this realignment, we are narrowing our focus to high-quality owned IP with broad appeal that can be leveraged across multiple platforms, and to work with the best talent in the industry. By right-sizing our internal development capacities for our console portfolio, our five internal studios are focused on delivering high-quality games with talented teams driving the execution of those titles to market,” said Brian Farrell, THQ's president and CEO in today's release.
Interestingly, there is nothing to speak of the local closures on either Australian teams' sites. Ironically, the THQ Studio Australia site is currently down and awaiting an upgrade as "the change, innovation and creative growth of THQ". Looks like that upgrade's been permanently stalled.
To everyone who lost their jobs, good luck.
UPDATE, 11am: Local sources have confirmed the closure is immediate.
Issue: 137 | June, 2012