3DO reduces staff

The 3DO Company has reduced its staff by an unconfirmed percentage, according to company sources. Last week, company chairman and CEO Trip Hawkins hinted at the restructuring plans during 3DO's teleconference discussing its fiscal year 2001 third-quarter results. For the period, the company reported weak financials, with a consolidated net loss of $12.3 million, or a loss of $0.27 per share. It pointed to the shortage of PlayStation 2 hardware and the planned reduction of N64 products for its weaker than expected fiscal performance.

The turnover at The 3DO Company should have no adverse effects on game releases or development, according to a company spokesperson. "Two weeks ago when we did our conference call, we broke down what we were going to be doing," a 3DO spokesperson told GameSpot. "We've been trying to bring costs in order with what is going on in the marketplace. Every project that we have announced...is still running. We haven't cut any products or anything like that. If any project gets delayed, it is more because of a quality reason. We're full speed ahead on all of our announced products."

3DO's current release schedule for the PC includes products such as Legends of Might and Magic, Heroes of Might and Magic IV, and High Heat Baseball 2002.