Bam! dismisses mass layoff reports

Earlier today, reports began to circulate on the Web that Bam! Entertainment, publisher of the first Way of the Samurai and the upcoming State of Emergency 2, has laid off large numbers of staffers and contractors from its publicity department.

However, when contacted by GameSpot, Bam! Entertainment vice president of product development Robert Daly denied the reports, saying only one position had been eliminated. "Staff-wise, we let one person go from public relations," Daly said. He also said three outside contractors--only one of which had PR and marketing responsibilities--are no longer providing services to the San Jose and Scotland-based publisher.

In other Bam! news, Daly confirmed that the company's upcoming PlayStation 2 title, Bujingai: The Forsaken City, is just days away from going gold. "It is moving along fine and now in Sony submission," he told GameSpot. Daly added that State of Emergency 2, which is being developed by the now Bam!-owned VIS Entertainment, is also on track for its release next year.