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Black Rock hit by layoffs

[UPDATE] Disney confirms staffers are to be let go from Split/Second, Pure developer in Brighton today; UK reports estimate 100 reductions.

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In the past year, the Disney Interactive Media Group has shut down Propaganda Games and laid off hundreds across its internal developers, including Epic Mickey-maker Junction Point. Now it appears additional cuts are being made at another Disney shop, Black Rock Studios.

The Brighton, UK-based studio, whose most recent release was warmly received racing game Split/Second, will let go 100 staffers today, according to Eurogamer.

Black Rock Studios rocked with layoffs.
Black Rock Studios rocked with layoffs.

Eurogamer's report cites an anonymous source inside Black Rock who said Disney has been unable to give half of the studio any work since mid-December. "It seems Disney have been unable to provide us with a project to work on, and our concept pitches clearly haven't gone down well (despite there being many of them)," said the source.

Additionally, the source said that sequels to quad racing game Pure and Split/Second were shelved following Disney's restructuring. Further, the source said a "good proportion" of the remaining staff at Black Rock is working on a "promising" game described as "new and risky."

[UPDATE] When queried by GameSpot, Disney offered the following statement: "Disney Interactive Studios confirms a reduction of its workforce from its Brighton-based internal game development studio, Black Rock Studios. The studio will continue its work on its current project."

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