Big huge layoffs at Big Huge Games

by Ben Gilbert { Apr 1st 2009 at 10:15PM }

THQ-owned Big Huge Games has reportedly laid off a "huge number" of employees, an unnamed source told Develop this morning. Reports less than two weeks ago had THQ selling Big Huge Games unless it found a buyer quickly. According to THQ spokesperson Julie MacMedan, THQ was looking for a buyer (at the time) to pick up Big Huge in the "near future." Considering the predicted 50 percent chance of survival of THQ, selling the Catan and Rise of Nations developer may be a last ditch endurance effort on the part of THQ that hasn't gone through, thus resulting in the job cuts.

We asked THQ for a statement regarding the alleged layoffs and Ms. MacMedan responded this evening, saying, "We continue to pursue a sale of Big Huge Games. Yesterday, some of the staff were notified that they were not going to be part of the future direction of the studio. We are not providing exact headcounts at this time." Little else is known at this time, though we've put in word to Big Huge Games for further comment and we'll update as news comes in.

Tags: big-huge-games, catan, develop, julie-macmedan, rise-of-nations, rumor, thq

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chase @ Apr 1st 2009 10:34PM

Um...April Fools?

...

Mister Bogus (Mr. ESC) @ Apr 1st 2009 10:57PM

Ha ha ha!... unemployment? :(

CantFlame (PSN MariusElijah) @ Apr 1st 2009 10:58PM

LMAO, thanks for the laugh Joystiq

Demosthenes @ Apr 1st 2009 10:43PM

No, pretty much not, brother got laid off

Shane @ Apr 2nd 2009 10:53AM

That sucks, and tell your brother I am sorry. I think BIg Huge games was a top notch dev company that put out very very quality software in terms of both functionality playability and design. I love rts's and even with a lot of good new ones on the market I still time and time again play and quite enjoy rise of nations. This is sad news, if you even picked up the Catan game for xbox live it is an awesome representation of the bored game that had a lot of time and thought put into it. They always had polished and fun products, this is sad news.. someone highup elsewhere dropped the ball.

rijo @ Apr 2nd 2009 11:39AM

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skrame @ Apr 2nd 2009 1:49PM

I don't understand the line from the post "Reports less than two weeks ago had THQ selling Big Huge Games unless it found a buyer quickly."

So they're selling the developer, unless someone wants to buy them?