Dr.Finger
08-12-2008, 05:56 AM
Midway has confirmed reports of major layoffs at their Austin studio (Area 51; Blacksite). In addition they've canceled a previously unannounced title, a GTA clone called 'The Career Criminal.'
Between 90 and 130 employees are expected to be impacted by the moves, which is 10% of Midway's overall workforce. This news comes only a week after Midway reported very poor second quarter numbers, including losses of almost $35 million.
Sources - Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19794); Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195745.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6195745).
"The Career Criminal"? Really? Even if that was just a placeholder title for the game, it sounds like they'd fallen into the same old GTA trap: that any game based around criminal activity would sell like GTA.
Between 90 and 130 employees are expected to be impacted by the moves, which is 10% of Midway's overall workforce. This news comes only a week after Midway reported very poor second quarter numbers, including losses of almost $35 million.
Sources - Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19794); Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195745.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6195745).
"The Career Criminal"? Really? Even if that was just a placeholder title for the game, it sounds like they'd fallen into the same old GTA trap: that any game based around criminal activity would sell like GTA.