LucasArts confirms big layoffs

Posted Jun 6, 2008 at 3:05PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: News, Titles Tags: Jim Ward, LucasArts, outsourcing, Star Wars

Ó

0
Official word has now hit after months of rumors that LucasArts is planning layoffs. A representative from the game maker has confirmed that 75 to 100 employees are being let go of.

"The layoffs were appropriate to where we are at in various project's lifecycles," said the spokesperson. LucasArts has just published Lego Indiana Jones (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC,  PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, DS) from Traveller's Tales , which could account for this statement.

It was clarified, however, that none of the layoffs will be coming from the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, DS) and Fracture (PS3, Xbox 360). The two are the biggest projects that the company intends to wrap up this season.

Asked if the move is a precedent to LucasArts doing its business via outsourcing third-party developers, the rep gave a quick denial: "We're committed to our internal studio and to continue working with external partners."

LucasArts has recently had a shake-up even in its higher ranks with big bosses like ex-president Jim Ward and vice president of product development Peter Hirschmann leaving the fold in the past few months.

Via Gamespot

Tweet

This story sucks? This story rocks!

Vote Now!    (0) (0)

Become a Member of QJ.Net! If you want your comments to go live without waiting for moderation, you need to be logged in. Being logged in has its benefits: Logged in members do not wait for their comments to be approved. Logged in members can sign up for nightly updates. Logged in members can create Profiles to be seen by other users. So why wait? Create an account or login now! It's easy, quick, and free. To get started, use the LOGIN boxes, or the REGISTER link at the top right!

Comments 

 

# :( — jobei 2008-06-06 16:41

I guess the Force wasn't strong enough.

Reply

 

 

# Wow that's nice — Neuromancer 2008-06-06 18:40

"The layoffs were appropriate to where we are at in various project's lifecycles," said the spokesperson.



Read: "Now that Lego Indy has been released, we don't need you aholes anymore. Enjoy poverty! Don't worry, we'll find someone fresh out of college and cheap to do the patches."

Reply

 

 

# yeah — kupomogli 2008-06-06 21:47

That's what it seems like isn't it. If the profit doesn't go towards them, it obviously moves to someone else.



-andrew- -kupomogli-

Reply

 

 

# or .... — damonous 2008-06-07 02:13

Another way to look at it... Q:"Is this move a precedent to outsourcing future development?" A:"Of course it is."

Reply

 

Refresh comments list

Add comment

Name (required)

Title

Refresh

Send

Cancel

JComments