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SOE confirms studio closures, cancels The Agency

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:52:00 EST

Following earlier reports of studio closures and mass layoffs, Sony Online Entertainment has issued an official statement regarding its "strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce." The company confirmed the closings of its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios and the elimination of 205 jobs.

Additionally, SOE announced the cancellation of The Agency, the long-delayed, cross-platform spy MMO under development at SOE Seattle. The company said it's discontinuing production of the title to "focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games."

SOE added that the Denver and Tucson studios' projects would be transitioned over to its San Diego headquarters. The company's full statement is posted after the break.

Continue reading SOE confirms studio closures, cancels The Agency

SOE confirms studio closures, cancels The Agency originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Three SOE studios close, layoffs abound

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:05:00 EST

Following a series of tweets from George Broussard, co-owner of 3D Realms, which indicated that Sony Online Entertainment would be undergoing layoffs and possible studio closures around its five locations today, Kotaku reports that a source "familiar with the matter" has confirmed the closures of SOE's Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios. Additionally, half of the Austin staff has been reportedly laid off, along with a "sizeable" number of workers at SOE's San Diego headquarters. In all, the layoffs are said to affect nearly one-third of SOE's total workforce.

Notably, SOE Seattle has been the lead development studio of The Agency, which had been slated to launch in the second half of the year (after a long delay). Neither SOE Denver nor Tucson has been working on anything as high profile as The Agency, though both have continued to operate a number of SOE titles, including Denver's Legends Of Norrath and other digital card games, and Tucson's PoxNora strategy game.U

Update: SOE has issued an official statement confirming the report and providing further details.

Report: Three SOE studios close, layoffs abound originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magic: The Gathering - Tactics summoned to PC January 18

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST

Sony has announced that Magic: The Gathering - Tactics will arrive on PC later this month on January 18 (the PS3 version is slated for later this year). The free-to-play game offers up a new take on the classic card game, allowing direct control over summoned creatures and simplified deck building options. Naturally, players will be able to purchase new cards for their decks or trade them with other players.

Check out our E3 preview for a detailed look at the game. And find new screens below and a developer diary after the break.

Gallery: Magic: The Gathering - Tactics

Continue reading Magic: The Gathering - Tactics summoned to PC January 18

Magic: The Gathering - Tactics summoned to PC January 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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