Joystiq

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony Online Entertainment acquires Octopi, becomes SOE Tucson

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Game industry news can be a bit depressing lately, with layoffs and shutdowns happening all over the world. Sony Online Entertainment's acquisition of Octopi is a refreshing change of pace. Octopi is known for their online collectible strategy game PoxNora. Under Sony Online Entertainment, they will operate as SOE Tucson.

While this news doesn't directly affect PS3 owners, SOE is one of the biggest supporters of PS3 -- the studios have already released a variety of PlayStation Network games, and are currently working on The Agency, FreeRealms and DC Universe Online. We doubt it'll be long until SOE Tucson works on a PS3 game of their own.

Sony Online Entertainment acquires Octopi, becomes SOE Tucson originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments