Wed, Sep 01, 2010 | 19:47 BST
LucasArts confirms staff reductions
LucasArts has confirmed earlier rumors, stating it was to reduce the headcount at its studios.
Speaking in a statement to Industry Gamers, LucasArts confirmed a reorganization of its studios, but declined to specify how many employees were being made redundant.
“LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio,” said a representative. “Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing.
“LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio – and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners – in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans.”
A report from Kotaku posted earlier today, stated 30 percent of the development staff were to be let go today.
The news comes as morale at the studio is apparently at an all-time low following the supposed cancellation of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed III, as well as the freezing of an unknown project by new president Paul Meegan.
Both of those decisions are apparently the reason long-time LA vet Haden Blackman left the company.
It’s also thought it won’t be outsourcing development on other games to other studios, like BioWare with The Old Republic or Travellers Tales and Lego Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
We wish those affected the best of luck landing on their feet.
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Posted in: Lucasarts
Tags: Haden Blackman, Paul Meegan, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed III
11 comments
#1
David Sarkisjan
01/09/10, 3:56 pm
Jesus, I hope this is not true.
#2
OlderGamer
01/09/10, 3:57 pm
Not a happy day.
Another casulity for the current games industry.
#3
StolenGlory
01/09/10, 4:01 pm
Wow, things go from bad to worse since they put that fucktard Meegan in charge.
#4
Crysis
01/09/10, 4:19 pm
what the hell is going on here? if this is true, must be because of financial reasons, i don’t belive that this new president is doing this for no good reason, if he is, he deserves to be bent over & showed the true meaning of the force by Geaorge Lucas
#5
Grimrita
01/09/10, 6:59 pm
LucasArts go through these transitions all the time. First the nOOb in charge hires devs and everything is in house, then they all get fired and its all outsourced.
How about sticking to creating some superb ground breaking games for a change, from a company (as in Lucasfilm) that has created ground breaking technology in the movie industry.
Rumours tell me that it was Republic Commando 2 that was canned.
#6
Crysis
01/09/10, 7:11 pm
http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/111/1117415p1.html – confirmed
I do not know why they needed internal developers, i thought they were doing fine with some external developers, Rebellion has done a great job (imoA) with the 2 PSP battlefront games & i think they have it in them to do a full blown sequel, especially after playing AvP, not the best looking game, but it sure had some replay value, my point is, not everything has to be done in-house when there’s many great independant developers ready to pick up the slack.
#7
daytripper
01/09/10, 8:29 pm
all the best to those axed, its horrible being made redundant as i know personally, hopefully they will get new employment soon.
now give us star wars battlefront 3 for absolute fuck sake!
#8
DarkElfa
01/09/10, 11:24 pm
Canceling outside development, reducing staff……whats next, will Meegan start going to houses and collecting copies of your games?
#9
Aimless
01/09/10, 11:36 pm
The workforce is weak in that one.
I’ll get my coat.
#10
LOLshock94
02/09/10, 12:40 am
this is very good news fuck u lucas
#11
frostquake
02/09/10, 1:12 am
And Star Wars Battlefront 3 gets pushed into 2099…and all of us will be dead!! Well unless were Heads in Jars, via Futurama….