Layoffs have apparently hit Activision studios today -- over 50 percent of the staff at Prototype creator Radical Entertainment has been let go, Guitar Hero developer Neversoft has seen an unspecified number of staff cuts, and licensed game studio Luxoflux is to close, our sources claim.
Gamasutra sources confirm reports at consumer weblog Kotaku that some 90 employees have been let go at Radical.
Twitter feeds purportedly from former employees confirm information from our sources suggesting Neversoft -- currently finishing Guitar Hero 6 -- is also affected, and Gamasutra sources also claim LA-area studio Luxoflux will close as part of the layoffs.
Activision announced yesterday that sales for its third quarter fell 5 percent year over year to $1.56 billion, with losses widening to $286 million thanks to a soft casual market and the rapid decline of the music genre.
As to the latter, analysts say category sales fell 26 percent last year, and Activision says it plans far fewer music SKUs than in recent years.
Prototype, Vancouver-based Radical's most recent release, launched in June 2009 to strong critical reception and sales performance. It was acquired by Vivendi in 2005, and became one of Activision's studios when the publishers merged in 2007.
As for Neversoft, it's been owned by Activision for more than a decade. The studio is best known for producing Tony Hawk games -- however, the most recent Tony Hawk title, dubiously-received Ride, was developed by Robomodo. Neversoft has also developed major installments in the Guitar Hero franchise.
Luxoflux has recently concentrated on game tie ins for films like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, all of which have apparently seen only modest critical reception and sales performance.
[UPDATE: Activision has released an official statement on the layoffs to multiple media outlets, reading as follows: "Activision Publishing continually evaluates its resources to ensure that they are properly matched against its product slate and strategic goals. In 2010, the company’s sku count will be smaller than in 2009 driven in part, by a decrease in the number of music-based games we will be releasing.
As we discussed on our earnings conference call yesterday, we are directing our resources against the largest and most profitable business segments, and as part of this initiative, we are realigning our resources to better reflect our slate and the market opportunities.
At the same time, we are increasing our digital/online capabilities as we expect that digital/online will continue to become a more meaningful part of our business model in the years ahead."]
As every month, Microsoft has released a fact-filled statement alongside the NPD Group results, and this month, the company trumpeted its attach rate, Xbox Live service, and and third-party success once again.
According to the company, Xbox 360 gamers spent $158 million on Xbox 360 games in the month of January 2010, $150.5 million of which was spent on third party game titles -- which the company claims is the highest spend out of the three current consoles. The company claims a current attach rate of 8.8 games for every console sold.
Microsoft also released new stats about its Xbox Live service, claiming 23 million registered users online right now. The company also claims to have set a record for the service at 2.3 million Xbox Live users online at one time during January 2010, and notes that Nielsen, the ratings company, finds the Xbox 360 is the "most-used console on the market" according to its research.
The company also made a number of announcements today at its X10 showcast event in San Francisco, which are reported in another story on Gamasutra -- which includes news about Modern Warfare 2, Dead Rising 2, Halo: Reach, Final Fantasy XIII, and more.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but we have both the Wii AND the PS3 with shortages in January?
Yeah, but if 360 beat the Wii, we'd have heard about it the second MS knew about it. Or are you just explaining why the PS3 didn't beat the 360 and why Iwata hasn't been seen lighting cubans with $1,000 bills?
Iwata is too busy eating his caviar and gold pizza to smoke his cigar.
for the same period of time as ME2. Neither of those were going to chart.
I didn't believe that Tasunoku vs Capcom would do hot but I was hoping that NMH2 might do a bit better with it's name already being out there. Sequels seem to have a habit of doing what the originals did not do at times but certainly didn't expect it to exactly set the world on fire either.
It's gonna take about half this year just to beat MW2 on 360, it would need a miracle to beat both of them in 12 months.
WW won't be a problem though.
Yes, but MW2 sales are already tapering off. NSMB Wii will continue great numbers until the console dies. I might be a tad too optimistic with my "by this time next year" pick, but eventually, it will happen.
for the same period of time as ME2. Neither of those were going to chart.
I didn't believe that Tasunoku vs Capcom would do hot but I was hoping that NMH2 might do a bit better with it's name already being out there. Sequels seem to have a habit of doing what the originals did not do at times but certainly didn't expect it to exactly set the world on fire either.
Wasn't there some data indicating that sequels usually did worse on the Wii, or am I imaging that again? With all the data and statistics we get, I lose track really easily.
It's gonna take about half this year just to beat MW2 on 360, it would need a miracle to beat both of them in 12 months.
WW won't be a problem though.
Yes, but MW2 sales are already tapering off. NSMB Wii will continue great numbers until the console dies. I might be a tad too optimistic with my "by this time next year" pick, but eventually, it will happen.
Oh it will, no doubt about that. Gonna take a lot longer than a year though.
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Nov-09 656.7K MASS EFFECT 2* 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Jan-10 572.1K
WII FIT PLUS W/ BALANCE BOARD* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Oct-09 555.7K
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 326.7K
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Apr-08 310.9K
SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 297.6K
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* PS3 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 259.0K
ARMY OF TWO: THE 40TH DAY 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Jan-10 246.5K
JUST DANCE WII UBISOFT Nov-09 191.9K
DARKSIDERS 360 THQ Jan-10 171.2k
Picking of the nits: ME2 was released on the 26th, not the 10th.
I am curious how the 360/PC sales split on ME2 worked out, what with the simultaneous release and all.
Online shooters are also obviously doomed on the PS3.
In all seriousness how much room can there be for online shooters if CoD is going to come out every Christmas?
Things could change, unlikely though that might be. Everquest used to be King Shit until WoW came out. Something will eventually surpass that (probably WoW2), so CoD won't be on top forever.
It was a "Big Sony Game" that had the "Big Premier" at E3. At least I think it was E3.
Though I didn't see any advertising for it. At all. I don't even know any PS3 owners, IRL, that knew about it.
I thought it was an interesting concept.
What I found more than a bit odd is that despite all the marketing cash Sony threw at MAG, including TV commercials, none of the promotion or marketing bothered to make what I thought would have been the most obvious selling point: "From the developers of the best-selling SOCOM series".
Online shooters are also obviously doomed on the PS3.
In all seriousness how much room can there be for online shooters if CoD is going to come out every Christmas?
Things could change, unlikely though that might be. Everquest used to be King Shit until WoW came out. Something will eventually surpass that (probably WoW2), so CoD won't be on top forever.
Well, for MMOs being a sequel to a dominant game is the kiss of death. The opposite is true of packaged games.
lowlylowlycook on
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
It was a "Big Sony Game" that had the "Big Premier" at E3. At least I think it was E3.
Though I didn't see any advertising for it. At all. I don't even know any PS3 owners, IRL, that knew about it.
I thought it was an interesting concept.
What I found more than a bit odd is that despite all the marketing cash Sony threw at MAG, including TV commercials, none of the promotion or marketing bothered to make what I thought would have been the most obvious selling point: "From the developers of the best-selling SOCOM series".
SOCOM has been dragged through the mud since the 2nd game. The name might do more damage then good recruiting new fans.
Posts
No, no... it's that the casuals are destroying the industry, and that's proven by Bayonetta not being in the top 10.
3DS FC: 0817-3759-2788
So I guess there will be a lot of stupid people on the internet crowing about how Reggie lost his bet ohhh snap even though he wildly exceeded it.
Remind me, how many bald space marines does Bayonetta have?
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
But it has the next best thing, a stripper as the main character!
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27218/NPD_Microsofts_January_2010_Spin_And_Stats.php
Also,
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Bayonetta (Jan. 5)
Dark Void
Every single PS3 game.
I'm willing to bet that NSMB Wii beats both combined LTD before this time next year. Not my cock though, only my wife gets to gamble with that.
Edit- Take that double post!
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
WW won't be a problem though.
I didn't believe that Tasunoku vs Capcom would do hot but I was hoping that NMH2 might do a bit better with it's name already being out there. Sequels seem to have a habit of doing what the originals did not do at times but certainly didn't expect it to exactly set the world on fire either.
Yes, but MW2 sales are already tapering off. NSMB Wii will continue great numbers until the console dies. I might be a tad too optimistic with my "by this time next year" pick, but eventually, it will happen.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Really? Geez, they really toned down the marketing machine for that. I think I'll grab it when it hits $30.
both of those were released Jan 26
Wasn't there some data indicating that sequels usually did worse on the Wii, or am I imaging that again? With all the data and statistics we get, I lose track really easily.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Oh it will, no doubt about that. Gonna take a lot longer than a year though.
Picking of the nits: ME2 was released on the 26th, not the 10th.
I am curious how the 360/PC sales split on ME2 worked out, what with the simultaneous release and all.
350K is my stab in the dark. :P
ME2 PC Not as many
at least in the US.
It released on the 10th.
Online shooters are also obviously doomed on the PS3.
Hardware - $353.7 million (-21%)
Software - $597.9 million (-12%)
Accessories - $217.0 million (+2%)
Total - $1.17 billion (-13%)
Not sure anyone expected anything of MAG.
I'm half wondering how long a community will even exist for that game a month after it's out.
It was a "Big Sony Game" that had the "Big Premier" at E3. At least I think it was E3.
Though I didn't see any advertising for it. At all. I don't even know any PS3 owners, IRL, that knew about it.
I thought it was an interesting concept.
In all seriousness how much room can there be for online shooters if CoD is going to come out every Christmas?
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
It has a terrible name and the marketing push just wasn't there. I've seen the commercial once since launch and that was yesterday.
Things could change, unlikely though that might be. Everquest used to be King Shit until WoW came out. Something will eventually surpass that (probably WoW2), so CoD won't be on top forever.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Wonder how that will work out when released.
What I found more than a bit odd is that despite all the marketing cash Sony threw at MAG, including TV commercials, none of the promotion or marketing bothered to make what I thought would have been the most obvious selling point: "From the developers of the best-selling SOCOM series".
I know two or three folks that have it. One likes to do the foot soldier thing, while the other prefers playing the tactician.
I'd like to see Battlefield do something similar.
Well, for MMOs being a sequel to a dominant game is the kiss of death. The opposite is true of packaged games.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Meanwhile, Mass Effect 2 did damn well despite just being out a few days.
And NSMB Wii beat MW2 combined by a comfy margin. What are the LTD totals for both now? I don't think NSMB is THAT far behind MW2 at this point.
SOCOM has been dragged through the mud since the 2nd game. The name might do more damage then good recruiting new fans.
I don't know why people are expecting that game to sell well.
PS2 - 22,080,000 (39 months) (December 2003)
PS2 - 26,892,000 (51 months) (December 2004)
Xbox - 12,054,000 (39 months) (January 2005)
Xbox - 14,154,000 (51 months) (January 2006)
GCN - 9,150,000 (39 months) (January 2005)
GCN - 10,790,000 (51 months) (January 2006)
PS3 - 11,402,100 (39 months) (January 2010)
Wii - 27,600,600 (39 months) (January 2010)
360 - 14,006,000 (39 months) (January 2009)
360 - 19,061,900 (51 months) (January 2010)
Wii: 679,200 / 465,800
NDS: 510,800 / 422,200
X360: 309,000 / 332,800
PS3: 203,200 / 276,900
PSP: 172,300 / 100,100
PS2: 101,200 / 41,600
From GAF.