I'm a big Disney fan and they may have done a lot of horrible things (High School Musical and the like), but I truely believe that the recent attitude towards gaming (the shifting to "social" gaming and away from "proper", including the layoffs and closures) is something that would make Walt turn in his grave. He was always looking to the future.. and I think he would've loved gaming, it's both interactive and artistic, and it's always being pushed graphically, innovative controls etc... Anyway, on topic. Loss of jobs is always a shame. But it's no surpirse, UK government have taken back the promises of tax breaks etc. And developers can't wait to get out of here now... but to be fair some are fighting the corner and trying to get them to change their minds.
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.
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.
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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Related Game
Split/Second
- Publisher(s): Disney Interactive Studios
- Developer(s): Black Rock Studio
- Genre: Driving
- Release:
- ESRB: E10+






