High Moon Studios lays off 40 people

Forty full-time employees from Activision's High Moon Studios were laid off today after completing their work on Deadpool, an Activision spokesperson tells Joystiq.

[dp277407]

That's a nice message after finishing a game. I'm sure this had no effect on the game because most people don't know when the company is going to fire whoever or even whenever, also whats the sign for sarcasm.

[camel_toad]

No kidding it's a nice message. "You did a great job and now you're fired. "

[Enigma_2099]

I just make the sarcastic remark, then end the sentence with [/sarcasm].

And this is how you make Kickstarter look even better than it does already, scammers be d***ed.

[dp277407]

Thank you.

[chukamachine]

I bet they are feeling blue.

[Hellforged_Savant]

Yes, because this sort of decision never results in negative PR.

[BitbyDeath]

Clearly this game is bound for awesomeness.

[Knightofelemia]

I just hope the next Transformers Cybertron game does not suck. Shame this had to hit them they are a good studio that I like.

[maniacmayhem]

The video game industry needs to change its practices. This is part of the reason why games fail so hard or have such a high demand for a return of profit. Companies over staff to hurry and finish a product. All this time and money wasted on ramping new employees up and showing them the many unique processes and work flow each company has. When all is done, all the extended staff is laid off.

Rinse and repeat.

You keep a core team of professionals and you make realistic time tables and releases. Do not let the marketer or PM director govern how the schedule should look. Leave that to the Producer. Keep the same team members that way they all get to know each others strengths and weaknesses. Less time to ramp because everyone is a vet and knows what to do. Not to mention a happier work environment knowing that head count won't change after a product is finished.

It really is a shame that in video game industry this lay off process is accepted while these staffing agencies are getting a ridiculous amount of money for doing nothing.

[0pie]

this way they dont pay bonus if the game is good enough to sell but ... its activision, the only game they care about is call of duty, all of the other game they release are shit.

[oof46]

It's an industry wide problem, not one that is solely Activision.

[adorie]

True, but him using Activision is a good example. It's a prime one, if anything.

[whamlollypop7]

Activision really should stick to the only thing they are remotely skilled at COD.

[FlameHawk]

Isn't it more like Activision laid of 40 workers?

[Crazay]

Digital Extremes has been laying off people for the last 2 weeks. They're in deep...

[cannon8800]

High Moon Studios needs to make another Darkwatch game.

[tigertron]

Activision only really care about COD now.

[Snarkasaur]

That's basically a giant message to gamers and shareholders that the game is going to suck. Duly noted.

[aliengmr]

This is fairly common in the movie and games industry. So if you are looking to get into either prepare to move a LOT.

[DevilishSix]

I don't think this is a sign of the studio being in any financial trouble. I have read about this many times thru the years. Usually when a game is finished there are lay offs, before a studio is re-staffed for the next project. Redundent positions and talent that may not fit the next project are let go, then they re-hire for specific jobs on the next title.