Tue, Jan 12, 2010 | 15:04 GMT
Rumour – Rogue Warrior dev Rebellion Derby closes doors [Update]
We’re hearing strong talk that Rogue Warrior developer Rebellion Derby – previously the original Tomb Raider studio, Core Design – has been closed down.
Rebellion has just declined to provide a comment on the phone and the talk is as yet unconfirmed.
Staff were apparently told the news today.
The studio is responsible for both the recently released Rogue Warrior and Vietnam shooter Shellshock 2.
Rebellion purchased Core from SCi in 2006.
Rebellion boss Jason Kingsley said at the time, “Core’s development studio is one of the UK industry’s major success stories and we’re delighted to have completed the deal with Eidos.”
Rebellion also has offices in Oxford and Liverpool.
It’s currently readying for the February release of Aliens Vs Predator with Sega. AvP’s being developed at the Oxford studio.
Update: Just received the following:
REBELLION GROUP POSITIONS ITSELF FOR GROWTH IN 2010
Leading independent videogames developer Rebellion today announced that corporate restructuring will take advantage of the expanded facilities at their Oxford Head Quarters and the Runcorn studio. The Derby facility, acquired from Eidos, is coming to the end of its lease, and staff are being consulted on its future.
Jason Kingsley, CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion said, “We are very excited about the expansion of our Oxford offices, the home of Aliens vs. Predator. Recruitment is ongoing both in Oxford and in Runcorn. However, growth is sometimes painful, never more so than in the current climate and we have had to take a long hard look at how we operate our studio network. Strategically we have decided to review the need for the Derby facilities, and consultation with staff at Derby is ongoing.”
A further announcement on the restructuring of the Rebellion studio network will be made in the coming weeks.
Update 2: We’ve just been sent another quote:
Jason Kingsley, CEO Rebellion, says “No-one has been made redundant by Rebellion in more than a decade, and the Derby studio is very much still open while we conduct the review. We are currently undergoing a process of consultancy with our staff to get their ideas, and establish the best possible future for the Derby studio.”
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Posted in: Development, Hot, Rumour, UK
Tags: rebellion derby, Rogue Warrior, shellshock 2
23 comments
#1
Gekidami
12/01/10, 12:22 pm
The guys who made 2 of the worst games this gen are closing down? Shock!
#2
The_Deleted
12/01/10, 12:32 pm
These rumours are always true…
#3
Patrick Garratt
12/01/10, 12:35 pm
Well, I hope they’re not for their sake. I’m still waiting for an official statement.
#4
TIMCSS
12/01/10, 12:42 pm
I live about 5 mins away from derby and tbh it isnt a surprise at all. When the rumours about free radical closeing came about i jumped in the car and drove around the corner and it was true. All locked up
.
#5
The_Deleted
12/01/10, 12:43 pm
A lot of time and money on two games that haven’t sold…It’s as good as, sadly. Rogue Trooper was a frikkin’ belter, too.
#6
daytripper
12/01/10, 12:45 pm
horrible to hear about people losing jobs
#7
Grimrita
12/01/10, 12:46 pm
Another blow for the UK games industry – give it another few years and there will be nothing left
#8
Doc Robotnik
12/01/10, 12:56 pm
I wouldn’t call it a blow for the UK industry when a very bad developer shuts down.
It is awful for those losing their jobs though.
#9
Captain Fruitloop
12/01/10, 12:59 pm
Rebellion Derby were previously Core Design. You know – the place where Tomb Raider was created?
A sad end, after a long decline, for a great UK studio.
#10
Psychotext
12/01/10, 1:03 pm
Wow… they were Core Design?
#11
Freek
12/01/10, 1:05 pm
Woah, you go from creating Tomb Raider to Rogue Warrior, what the hell happend over there?
#12
Patrick Garratt
12/01/10, 1:12 pm
Official statement on the way.
#13
frostquake
12/01/10, 1:14 pm
Sadly this is true. The Upper crust is cannibalizing what they can get, while the true workers are packing their little white boxes…Sigh!
#14
rainer
12/01/10, 1:24 pm
They didn’t actually create Rogue Warrior they were brought on by Bethesda to try and polish the turd created Zombie Studios the original Rogue Warrior developer.
Still sad to see an end to Core Design after all this time.
#15
Patrick Garratt
12/01/10, 1:25 pm
It’s true. See update.
#16
Blerk
12/01/10, 1:27 pm
Blimey! Best of luck to all involved.
#17
Eregol
12/01/10, 1:29 pm
Poor guys. Never good to lose jobs.
Must be a lot of talent there if they put out Tomb Raider. A lot of them will bounce back into new jobs.
Such a shame though. The Uk industry will soon have nothing left. Not just down to poor performance by the studios therein, but due to the UK government not nurturing such a profitable industry in the country.
#18
TIMCSS
12/01/10, 1:53 pm
Free radical is about 10 minutes from them, and i suspect that maybe crytek will try and employe as many as they can
#19
Moonwalker1982
12/01/10, 1:56 pm
Sad for the developers, but Rogue Warrior IS a horrible game.
#20
mington
12/01/10, 2:26 pm
i wonder if the guy/girl (must probably guy) who modeled the original pyramid boobs was still working there
#21
Patrick Garratt
12/01/10, 3:04 pm
Another update added.
#22
The_Deleted
12/01/10, 3:55 pm
I’m guessing the AvP license wasn’t cheap. Let’s hope the games worth a damn.
#23
Grimrita
12/01/10, 5:51 pm
@ update 2
Thats just code for people will be made redundant. I’ve been down that road myself. 30 days from now, they will be laid off, unless they can place some of them in their other studios