Layoffs at Lionhead

Fable developer Lionhead Studios has been hit with layoffs. A statement from Microsoft provided to GameSpot confirms that ten percent of the overall headcount at the Guildford game company will be let go by the end of 2012 as part of a common development procedure.

“Following the completion of Fable: The Journey, Lionhead Studios has begun work on its next projects," reads a line from the statement. "As is common in the games industry, a smaller headcount is needed as projects kick-off and ramp up as full-production gets underway. At this time a small number of positions have been identified as at risk of redundancy and the affected employees were notified today."

Microsoft said it is "working closely" with those affected to help place them in new positions at other Microsoft Studios outfits like Rare, Soho Productions, and the firm's new shop in London. Additionally, the company said it plans to add more than 100 jobs across its United Kingdom studios by June 2013.

Lionhead's most recent game was the Kinect-exclusive Fable: The Journey. The company is rumored to be working on a next-generation MMO-like game.