Kotaku
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business
Goodbye Eidos, Hello Square Enix Europe
Square Enix's takeover of British publisher Eidos wasn't going to stop at just ownership. It's running all the way through to publisher names, with "Eidos" given the chop in favour of the more ominous "Square Enix Europe". More »
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Comment by Psudonym: I feel... a little gutted. I mean, nothing against Square but. I don't care if they are swimming in money.... 10 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Damnation Developers Laid Off
Several former employees at Blue Omega, developers behind the recent Damnation, have confirmed with Kotaku today that the entire dev team has been laid off following "issues" with Codemasters, Damnation's publishers.
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Comment by Skyline7284: Spent too much money on the breast physics? :( Tis a real bummer for the guys who were working on it,... 17 Responses | Other threads
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rumor
America's Army 3 Devs Let Go Day After Launch
The Emeryville, California based development studio responsible for America's Army 3 has been shut down, according to details forwarded to Kotaku by former staffers. That closing comes one day after the U.S. Army funded simulation officially shipped. More »
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Comment by gemetzel: Read the disclaimer very carefully when you go to install it. Some scary things in there. 32 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Crystal Dynamics Loses Another 25 Jobs
San Francisco-based Crystal Dynamics again feels the lash of layoffs, as Eidos confirms with Kotaku that around twenty-five employees have been let go from the Tomb Raider development studio.
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By Mike FaheyComment by Masonvrocks: I'm sorry but just based on that box art that looks like a horrible, horrible game. 32 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Rumor: Mass Layoffs Hit Bionic Commando Developer GRIN
Sweden-based developer GRIN is said to be the latest game studio hit by cutbacks, as multiple sources have told Kotaku that the Bionic Commando and Terminator: Salvation dev has laid off more than 100 staffers. More »
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Comment by Roxas13th: After seeing the quality of there two games from last week... surprised there were even 50 people already working there 13 Responses | Other threads
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humor
Heads Roll At Valve Over "Leaked" Team Fortress 2 Vid
There has been speculation that the "leaked" Team Fortress 2 video from the weekend was not leaked at all. Speculation that, in light of events at Valve HQ today, seems entirely without merit. More »
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Comment by Coxswain: I will not lie: I loled. Quite a bit, actually. 26 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
So, Just How Many People Have Lost Their Jobs In The Past 12 Months?
Despite constant claims that the gaming business is recession proof, it seems every day we wake up to learn more and more people have lost their jobs. But just how many have been lost? More »
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Comment by Michael Herring: "Despite constant claims that the gaming business is recession proof," [CITATION NEEDED] ...and even if such a meme was being bandied... 9 Responses | Other threads
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rumor
Is Duke Nukem Developer 3D Realms Gone For Good? [Update]
3D Realms, still plugging away at the slightly delayed Duke Nukem Forever, may have given up the ghost, as the Texas-based developer is rumored to have shut down. More »
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Comment by gotee12: I came here to kick ass and chew gum, and I'm all out of... money? 15 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Microsoft's In-Game Ad Company Hit By, Ahem, Massive Layoffs [Update]
We've heard today that, as part of Microsoft's already-announced round of 5000 job cuts, up to 75% of the workforce at Microsoft's in-game advertising service, Massive, have been laid off. More »
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Comment by Kenny: Good riddance I say. Less ads in my games, crampin' my gameplay. 5 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
FlatOut Publishers Headed For A Crash
British publishing house Empire Interactive - best known for the FlatOut series - look set to be the latest victims of the global economic crisis, with MCV claiming the studio's closure is imminent. More »
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Comment by relic1980: Empire was the publisher of the Pro Pinball series of games back in the day. One of the only series... 7 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
An Idea of How Large the Big Huge Layoffs Were
An anonymous tipster representing himself as an ex-Big Huge Games employee advised us to compare the studio's current team page with a cached version and count up the missing men and women. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by Cojo21: Maybe a name change is in order? Slightly smaller HUGE games? BIG medium games? 3 Responses | Other threads
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thq
THQ Successfully Trims $220 Million In People, Costs
Publisher THQ announced today that its plans to eliminate $220 million in spending has been a great success, thanks to the shedding of hundreds of workers, canceling of games and other "business realignment actions." More »
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Comment by Nevest356: And how much did the executives salaries get cut by? It's almost certainly none. 16 Responses | Other threads
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rumor
Big Layoffs At Big Huge Games
Hasn't been a good couple of weeks for Rise of Nations developers Big Huge Games. First they were threatened with closure. Now, according to Develop, there have been a "huge number of layoffs". More »
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Comment by ElMuerte: Aprils Fools! You're fired! ... no no you're really fired. 2 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Alienware Laying Off Employees
Times, they are tough. And Dell, owners of PC gaming enthusiast brand Alienware, are no exception, with tech site ExtremeTech reporting that an undisclosed number of Alienware employees are facing the sack. More »
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Comment by devfiz: I always wanted an Alienware PC. They were always too damn expensive, though. I guess a lot of people felt... 13 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
THQ Cuts Down Big Huge Games, Lets Go Two More
Publisher THQ announced in February that it would be cutting back substantially, axing jobs and shuttering studios after losing $191.8 million last quarter. Today, we learn that developer Big Huge Games is due to close.
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hot flashes
Layoffs: The Video Game Is Depressing Fun
If you're suffering the consequences of the current economic shitstorm, you'll have plenty of time to play Layoff, an examination of the current financial scandal cleverly disguised as a Bejeweled-like casual game. More »
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Comment by c0mbobreaker: its funny that they included the Louisiana purchase in that little tidit. How much was that? Like $10 million? 3 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Layoffs Hit THQ's Volition
Nearly all of Volition's quality assurance department were laid off today in Champaign, Illinois, THQ confirmed to Kotaku.
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Comment by Skyburnbright: Nooo red faction guerilla :( Please don't be affected by this. 9 Responses | Other threads
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ruh roh
Microsoft Overpaid Some Layoff Severances, Asks for It Back
"An inadvertent administrative error" meant that some of the 1,400 Microsoft laid off recently received overpayments in their severance packages. The company's asked for the money back, making this a hat trick of HR Kops komedy. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by dappaute: what happens if they dont pay it back? 37 Responses | Other threads
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news
Hollywood Killed the Video Game
A Slate.com article blames something other than the economy for video game industry layoffs and studio closings. Now that's news. More » -
disturbance in the workforce
Cuts Hit X-Play, Show Drops to Thrice Weekly [Update]
Deep cuts have hit G4's flagship show X-Play, sources tell us, and the five-day-a-week program has been cut back to three times a week.
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Comment by Lazureus: Woop-de-feakin-do. Not like anyone really watches G4 ever since they annihilated Tech-TV. 38 Responses | Other threads
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feature
The Face Of The New Gaming Economy
Video games are not recession proof. With the cratering global economy, the game industry is certainly feeling the effects — most notably, those making the games.
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disturbance in the workforce
Rare "Restructuring", Job Losses A Possibility
In January, Microsoft started "reviewing" a few things. Cut some jobs, that sort of stuff. That "review" now shines its light on Rare, where belts are to be tightened, and jobs might be lost. More »
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Comment by Sotiris (The Bassist): If that means that Rare will get better, then I'm all for it. Rare isn't what it used to be. I... 19 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Rumor: Aliens RPG Canceled, Layoffs Hit
Sources tell Kotaku that Sega has pulled the plug on their upcoming Aliens Roleplaying Game under development by California-based developer Obsidian. More »
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Comment by Ghetto Cornetto: As I sit at my desk, localizing fucking awful shovelware to pay the bills, I rage. I rage because titles like... 14 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Midway Files for Bankruptcy
The long-struggling publisher of Mortal Kombat filed for bankruptcy this morning, calling it a difficult but necessary decision.
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disturbance in the workforce
More Layoffs Hit NCSoft
A shift to a more studio-centric approach in game development and support will impact 70 to 90 employees at NCsoft West, the game developer said today. More »
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Comment by walkyourpath: I have a friend who works customer service for NC Soft here in Austin -- knocking on wood for him... 3 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Sega Losing Money, Closing Arcades, Cutting Jobs
Sega just reported their financial results for the nine months ending in December 2008. And they're not good reading. The company is losing money, and as a result, will be losing staff and arcades as well. More »
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Comment by 1up: 1) Stop making 3D sonic games 2) Start making 2d Sonic games. 3)???? 4)PROFIT! 25 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Rumor: Namco Yanks Splatterhouse From Bottlerocket
On the same day the Splatterhouse trailer debuted, Namco is rumored to have pulled the unfinished project from Bottlerocket, dooming the California-based developer.
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By Owen GoodComment by Maxyboy13: Wow, Namco just lost all of their fans in one fell swoop. I don't know how they can possibly redeem themselves. 22 Responses | Other threads
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the greatest depression
THQ Loses Millions, Will Fire Hundreds
Publisher THQ was hit hard during its third quarter, losing $191.8 million over the holidays. That loss, previously expected to be net profit, and more lowered expectations will translate to massive cuts to its workforce. More »
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Comment by Mister Jack is Stalking Konata: I know you're just doing your job, but can't we have a non-depressing, upbeat article about a company that is... 13 Responses | Other threads
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wall street journal
Escapism In The Time Of Layoffs
The Wall Street Journal has a nice little article up about laid off employees getting into games and social media networks as a way to escape the grim reality that they're out of a job. More »
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By AJ GlasserComment by L: Not good to avoid your problems though. 5 Responses | Other threads
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sensory sweep
Developer Reaches Back-Pay Deal With Government
Sensory Sweep, accused of not paying its 200 workers since at least October, has entered into a consent agreement with the federal Department of Labor under which current and former employees will be repaid. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by KamikazeSailor: I love my job as much as the next guy, but when your employer is doing his best to rip... 3 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
THQ Axes a Hundred as it Fixates on Smart Phones
THQ fired 100 employees following a decision to shift its mobile game development to the smart phone platform only. Three studios are closing, in San Diego, the U.K. and Germany. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by Demonbird: THQ doesn't make good games so this doesn't irk me that much. A shame for those 100 people. 4 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Rumor: Need For Speed PSP, EA Canada Staffers Axed
Another batch of Vancouver area game developers are looking for work, as sources tell us that EA Canada's Burnaby location was the latest to be hit by Electronic Arts' ongoing layoffs. More »
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Comment by D Mitsuki : Gotta have guts kid!: Ugh, all the people getting fired makes me wonder if it's even worth spending a ton of cash on college... 8 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Update: Layoffs Hit Disney Interactive, Turok Sequel Canceled
Disney is the latest in a long list of companies planning to pare down its workforce, with cuts and consolidations affecting Disney Interactive Studios. Layoffs are said to have already hit Turok developer Propaganda. More »
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Comment by Kyle Guerrero: A lot of these games were just rentals/milking money out of a franchise. I don't think this is a real... 18 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Thousands Of Jobs Lost, Very Quietly, At IBM
An estimated 4000 IBM employees have been laid off in the last week, as the company adjusts to the current way of the world. Why do we care? Because IBM make a lot of stuff. More »
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Comment by One Man Freak Show: I wasn't even aware they were still around. I remember getting old IBM computers running on DOS all the time... 13 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Nexon Shutters Vancouver Development Studio
Thanks to numerous tips, Kotaku has now confirmed with staff at Nexon America that the company's Vancouver-based development studio has shuttered its doors today, leaving upwards of 90 employees looking for jobs.
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By Mike FaheyComment by Kevin Flynn: What games has this company developed so far? 10 Responses | Other threads
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microsoft
So Why All The Microsoft Game Group Firings?
Microsoft said they were sacking 1,400 people across the entire company, yet a disproportionate number of those cuts fell upon the (relatively) small gaming group. What gives? Did somebody piss in Steve Ballmer's coffee? More »
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Comment by agmsd: I don't think they're researching the RROD, because it's still there. Microsoft should get of the gaming business at all.... 25 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Games For Windows Live Boss Sacked
We heard last week that Microsoft's Games for Windows team was facing layoffs. Weren't sure how many were going to be affected. Turns out that one of the group's bosses is among the casualties. More »
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Comment by Dr. Random: Pfft. Contrary to the flood of comments below this, PC gaming isn't dead; It's evolving. In a way, both have... 6 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
More Microsoft Layoffs Hit Game Testers, Games For Windows Group
Sorry. More Microsoft layoff news. Seems in addition to the Flight Sim and Gamerscore sackings, Microsoft have also laid off a number of testers, as well as members of the Games for Windows team. More »
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Comment by Dave Adams: Woah, they HAD game testers? What the hell have they been doing? 13 Responses | Other threads
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disturbance in the workforce
Eidos Shutters Manchester Studio
Yesterday it was Microsoft, Sony, EA Canada and Intel taking hits from the economy. Last night, apparently, it was Eidos, which closed its Rockpool Games Studio in Manchester. More »
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Comment by Neonox: I did not expect the game industry to get hit so bad, it seems every other article posted on here... 4 Responses | Other threads
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Disturbance In...OK, You Get It
Intel Are, Yes, Sacking A Bunch Of People
In keeping with today's theme, Intel - manufacturers of processors that are probably in the machine you're reading this on and maybe also in a machine you game on - announced some job cuts. More »
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Comment by Doctor1337: Are we going to have job cut articles every day for the rest of eternity? 8 Responses | Other threads
disturbance in the workforce
Denver, 7:45 AM
Fri Jul 10
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