Romero's Slipgate Ironworks cuts staff, work continues
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Oct 19th 2009 at 11:22AM } 
Publisher Gazillion Entertainment has confirmed layoffs at John Romero's studio, Slipgate Ironworks, which is currently working on an unnamed MMO. Although the publisher wouldn't reveal the number let go, Kotaku reports that former staffers estimate around 50 people are looking for a new place of work.
A statement from Gazillion obtained by Gamasutra claims that the company decided to "change the format" of the Slipgate Ironworks project to reach the "widest possible audience." The game will now launch with a "smaller core team." Gazillion is also publishing the delayed Jumpgate Evolutions and 2012's Marvel Universe MMO.
Source -- Gazillion Confirms Layoffs At Romero-Led MMO Dev Slipgate Ironworks [Gamasutra]
Source -- Romero's Slipgate Ironworks Hammered Down, MMO Project Still On [Kotaku]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Clinton @ Oct 19th 2009 11:29AM
dang apparently video game devs is just not a safe job to have these days.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 19th 2009 11:29AM
For a minute there, i was in complete and total excitement at the idea that George A Romero had a game studio, but then I read "John".
: (
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 19th 2009 11:37AM
Watch it Wayne or else Romero will "make you his bitch".
Wes @ Oct 19th 2009 11:45AM
I was thinking the same thing. I though unannouced mmorpg? Romero? Zombies MMORPG??!?!?!!?!
Sigh, guess not.
LaughingTarget @ Oct 19th 2009 12:54PM
John's gonna need to find himself a person in a management profession himself soon (P.I.M.P.). No more bitches for him.
Ryan @ Oct 19th 2009 1:21PM
John Romero couldnt made anybody his bitch in 1997, and he sure as shit cant do it now.
gLitterbug @ Oct 19th 2009 11:50AM
Sure smells Daikatana MMO around here.
dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Oct 19th 2009 12:07PM
Internal memo from Romero: "Suck it down"
Ogets @ Oct 19th 2009 12:50PM
Big Surprise, All these guys do is talk about all the technology they have and everything they can do with it. Never actually deliver anything. John Young has done the same since he's been in the industry. Talk talk talk about how awesome it will be don't make any realistic claims to raise funding, take full credit for any success it creates, then bail when they can't deliver on his promises.
You forgot Upshift Strikeracer. He snaked his way to the top of that company and then bailed when the game tanked. He's going to do the same with Slipgate Ironworks.
http://2008.loginconference.com/speaker.php?id=4757
LaughingTarget @ Oct 19th 2009 12:58PM
Upshift Strikeracer? Slipgate Ironworks? Is there some kind of video game random name generator out there?
NintendoJunkie @ Oct 19th 2009 1:31PM
This article is kinda ironic considering I am currently reading thru Masters of Doom. AWESOME book btw in case anyone hasn't heard of it.
A co-worker bought it for me for Christmas last year. At the time I had never heard of it.
WRYYYYYY @ Oct 19th 2009 1:38PM
From the "who gives a shit" department.
avan @ Oct 19th 2009 3:28PM
Damn u romero, better get to work soon, we are waiting.... no really i am!!
Mike @ Oct 19th 2009 4:19PM
So...they laid off 50 people in order to reach the widest possible audience? John Romero really is a genius.
Andrea @ Oct 20th 2009 2:20PM
I know that graphic! I saw it while researching for a poster design pulling from soviet propaganda imagery. What's that doing in relation to Video Games?