Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst calculates layoff totals, the belief in a 'Gaming Renaissance Movement']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/analyst-calculates-layoff-totals-the-belief-in-a-gaming-renais/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/analyst-calculates-layoff-totals-the-belief-in-a-gaming-renais/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/analyst-calculates-layoff-totals-the-belief-in-a-gaming-renais/#comments
M2 Research market analyst Wanda Meloni estimates that 8,450 game industry employees have been let go since July 2008. North America had approximately 6,300 layoffs (75 percent), which represents 12 percent of the region's workforce -- her piece was published on Gamasutra last Friday, so it likely doesn't take into account the Massive and 3D Realms hits.

Meloni's "glass half full" view of the layoffs is that these folks will start small development studios and form part of what she's calling the "Gaming Renaissance Movement." She feels that these start-ups -- many self-funded through severance packages -- have the "creativity, vision and sheer grit" (not to mention: no other choice) to do their best to make it.

The majority of Meloni's post goes into detail about what tools, funding and partners these start-ups have at their disposal. As for us, we're just looking to give the "layoffs" tag a rest.

[Via Edge]
[Image]

JoystiqAnalyst calculates layoff totals, the belief in a 'Gaming Renaissance Movement' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 May 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdepressioneconomylayofflayoffsm2-researchrecessionwanda-meloniTue, 12 May 2009 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Get fired for playing Layoff: The Game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/get-fired-for-playing-layoff-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/get-fired-for-playing-layoff-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/get-fired-for-playing-layoff-the-game/#comments
One of the first things we were going to do as soon as we became super-private-island rich was to create a giant chess game where the pieces were played by people. Well, we were actually planning on man-sized Bejeweled, because chess so often makes our think-meat sore.

Tragically, we've been beaten to the punch by tiltfactor's new release, Layoff: The Game, which lets you save companies billions by laying off matching sets of workers. We suspect there's a deeper message to be taken away from it, but we're a little busy wondering how we're going to make man-sized Zuma.

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqGet fired for playing Layoff: The Game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economyfinancelayofflayoff-the-gamepcserious-gamestiltfactorWed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game industry still hiring, notable job postings listed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/game-industry-still-hiring-notable-job-postings-listed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/game-industry-still-hiring-notable-job-postings-listed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/game-industry-still-hiring-notable-job-postings-listed/#comments
It's easy to get bummed out reading about industry layoffs day in and day out. Trust us, writing about them isn't any day at the beach either. Still, there is hope for industry hopefuls scouring want ads openings, and Gamasutra blog GameSetWatch has compiled a list of what it's deemed the most "notable" openings recently posted to its sister site's job board.

Among them, Other Ocean Interactive, the studio responsible for the Xbox Live port of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, is seeking a new producer to join its team, while Warner Bros. is hoping to cull an engineering director from the ranks of the unemployed. Namco is looking for multiple folks willing to tinker with mobile games, and LEGO Universe dev NetDevil is interested in hiring someone to head up programming on its space combat MMO, Jumpgate Evolution. Even Midway wants in on the hiring action, though we'd advise anyone interested in signing up there also get fitted for a life vest.

JoystiqGame industry still hiring, notable job postings listed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classifiedsemploymentjobslayofflayoffsMon, 02 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ mobile shake up leaves 100 staffers without jobs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/thq-mobile-shake-up-leaves-100-staffers-without-jobs/#comments
True to its word, THQ downsized its wireless division. According to THQ's Brian Farrell, the realignment will see the company "focus only on games for high-end handheld devices," sending around a hundred of its mobile phone staff to the unemployment line.

The company stated plans to "restructure" its European wireless subsidiary earlier this week, though Moconews reports that THQ has also shuttered is San Diego mobile studio in addition to its wireless offices in both the UK and Germany. For now, the company's Universomo studio in Finland will be the hub for THQ's wireless efforts, promising that iPhone users will have all the Worms they can handle for the foreseeable future.

[Via VG247]

JoystiqTHQ mobile shake up leaves 100 staffers without jobs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-ferrelleuropegermanyiphonelayofflayoffsmobilemobile-phonemobilephonesan-diegothqukwirelessSat, 31 Jan 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ: Rumored closure false, Euro wireless subsidiary restructured]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/thq-rumored-closure-false-euro-wireless-subsidiary-restruct/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/thq-rumored-closure-false-euro-wireless-subsidiary-restruct/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/thq-rumored-closure-false-euro-wireless-subsidiary-restruct/#comments Earlier today, a rumor circulated across the interwebs, stating that THQ had closed its doors and laid off* all its employees. The origin of the story seems to be a "source" close to N-Europe. We've already heard of "significant business realignments," as well as one analyst's proclamation that the publisher's franchises were slumping, but just this week it hinted at sequels to de Blob -- so what gives?

As it turns out, this is (probably) much ado about nothing. We've got an official statement from the publisher rebuking the story. Said THQ, "Today, we advised our staff of a restructuring of our wireless subsidiary in Europe. That's all that has happened." N-Europe has also updated a retraction to the story. False alarm, folks, go back to your Spongebob games.

* Feel free to substitute with axed, sacked, made redundant, karate chopped, etc.

JoystiqTHQ: Rumored closure false, Euro wireless subsidiary restructured originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesslayofflayoffsrumorrumorongthqThu, 29 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Next on Sega's release schedule: 30 employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/#commentsFiled under:


For a "recession-proof" industry, there sure is heck of a lot of people losing their jobs in the games business. Sega of America has joined EA, Pandemic, Eidos, Free Radical, and others in this disturbing trend, asking thirty of its workers to clear their desks, all in the name of "[reducing] cost structure and ensure long-term success." Sad face.

Also, concerned face. What a scary time it is to be employed in this any industry! Needless to say, our best wishes go to those who were laid off; we hope you find work soon, guys and gals!

JoystiqNext on Sega's release schedule: 30 employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerlayofflayoffssegaWed, 21 Jan 2009 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: Free Radical lets over 100 employees go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lets-over-100-employees-go/#commentsFiled under:

Well, it would appear all of our excitement over a fourth TimeSplitters game is for nothing, as the rumored layoffs at Free Radical are in fact true. The company has let go of 75% of its workforce, which equals 140 employees. The company, with its remaining 40 people, are up for sale, with several companies showing a "strong interest."

We hope that what's left of Free Radical manages to land somewhere decent, because we've been fans of their work for some time now.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqConfirmed: Free Radical lets over 100 employees go originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerfree-radicallayofflayoffsukFri, 26 Dec 2008 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: Free Radical lays off 140, 'For Sale' sign posted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lays-off-140-for-sale-sign-posted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lays-off-140-for-sale-sign-posted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/confirmed-free-radical-lays-off-140-for-sale-sign-posted/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's now official: As of December 31, Free Radical will be 140 employees smaller, which is just over 75% of its workforce. The company and its remaining 40 or so members are now on sale with several companies showing "strong interest," according to the firm brought in to help with downsizing (who in our minds look a lot like the Bobs from Office Space). With the industry death toll rising, our hearts go out to all the developers (and everyone else, for that matter) who faced the tragic, proverbial / literal pink slip this year.

JoystiqConfirmed: Free Radical lays off 140, 'For Sale' sign posted originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsfree-radicalhazelayofflayoffsFri, 26 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Estimated layoffs at SCEA were "totally off base"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/estimated-layoffs-at-scea-were-totally-off-base/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/estimated-layoffs-at-scea-were-totally-off-base/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/estimated-layoffs-at-scea-were-totally-off-base/#commentsEarlier, we reported that up to 100 employees were laid off by SCEA. It appears that these figures were incorrect, and "way high." In a statement to GameDaily, Dave Karraker noted that less than 50 employees were let go. Government regulations require a company that lays off more than 50 individuals to issue a WARN notification -- something Sony did not have to do in this latest step in their corporate restructuring.

"We had a number of different department shifts in restructuring throughout the company, but nothing that's different from what we would typically have," Karraker explained. "The stuff that's been going on and has been going on since I started, back in September, is just continual shifts and changes within departments that's nothing unusual for any company on a regular basis."

According to GameDaily's findings, the lay offs affected a variety of departments, including Consumer Service, Finance, Business and Technology, Operations, 1st and 3rd party test, Marketing and Sales. Karraker refuted the claims, and made note that such layoffs are part of "normal business practice."

JoystiqEstimated layoffs at SCEA were "totally off base" originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave karrakerDaveKarrakergamedailykarrakerlay offLayOfflayoffsFri, 08 Jun 2007 18:15:00 EST