Mon, Jan 19, 2009 | 16:58 GMT
30 laid off at Crystal Dynamics after poor Tomb Raider performance [Update]
1UP‘s rumouring that after Eidos’ announcement that certain “triple A” products underperformed, Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics has laid off 30 members of staff.
According to what the site cites as “reliable sources,” the cut-backs were made to “eliminate redundancy and give the studio tighter focus moving forward.”
Update: Crystal Dynamics has confirmed the news telling 1UP: “We have increased the focus on the Tomb Raider franchise at Crystal Dynamics; regrettably this has resulted in the reduction in headcount.”
More through the links.
By Mike Bowden
10 
Posted in: Development, Eidos, Hot, Rumour, Trade
Tags: Crystal Dynamics, tomb raider
10 comments
#1
Mike
11/01/09, 7:36 pm
Updated.
#2
Esha
11/01/09, 8:26 pm
Sooo… games that sell on the merits of their appeal to horny teenagers unsurprisingly don’t do that well, their response is to… fire a good chunk of their staff and concentrate on making more games that sell only to that demographic?
The fast-moving World of capitalistic endeavours confuses me. If I were them, I would’ve focused on making a new Soul Reaver.
#3
DaMan
11/01/09, 9:09 pm
Underworld was good. I just thought it wasn’t much of an improvement over the previous two games.
#4
jeremycafe
11/01/09, 10:46 pm
I love how they still claim the industry is recession proof. One after another, studios are making drastic cuts to reduce costs.
Immune alright…
#5
DaMan
11/01/09, 11:17 pm
not one after another, and it is immune compared to say, electronics.
#6
theevilaires
12/01/09, 1:06 am
good i hope it was the assholes who decided to make exclusive dlc for the 360 when the game sold better on ps3.larger install base vs brand loyalty you be the judge
#7
Psychotext
12/01/09, 1:54 am
It’s not really that simple. The PS3 version did sell better in the first week, but in all the weeks since it has been lower than the 360 version.
Not that its sales are anything to write home about on either platform, having only done between 100k – 200k in the UK.
#8
fearmonkey
12/01/09, 6:51 am
Does anyone really still care about this franchise?
It seems that it has a fanbase, but not big enough to warrant continuing game after game.
#9
Blerk
12/01/09, 7:33 am
Oh dear.
They should rest Tomb Raider for a few years and do something else. Like a Soul Re…. *thud*
#10
SticKboy
12/01/09, 1:53 pm
BRING BACK RAZIEL, FFS!