Empire unloading Razorworks

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Jul 3, 2008 11:46 am PT

Publisher in talks to sell off or close Ford Racing developer as part of restructuring plans to reduce workforce by 30 percent.

Last month, reports circulated that Empire Interactive was shutting down Ford Racing development studio Razorworks. Empire suggested at the time that it was looking to sell the studio, but stressed that there were no other changes being made at the publisher.

That last part wasn't entirely true, as Empire parent company Silverstar Holdings this week announced that the sale or disposition of Razorworks is just one part of a restructuring effort at the publisher that includes reorganizing the management team and relocating headquarters to the London suburb of Muswell Hill.

Silverstar wants to reduce headcount at Empire by 30 percent, with most of that goal achieved by unloading the developers and physical assets of Razorworks one way or the other. The company has said that getting rid of Razorworks won't require selling its intellectual property or impacting current titles in development.

"The company is currently in negotiations with potential acquirers and looks to complete the transaction in the coming weeks," according to Silverstar. "The total head count reduction is expected to deliver cash flow savings of approximately $3 million per year."

Razorworks has been working on Pipe Mania and Ford Racing Off Road. The developer has previously worked on a variety of titles, including the Xbox Live Arcade editions of Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe and Double Dragon, as well as the Taito Legends compilations. The studio was originally acquired by Empire in 2000.

20 Comments

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    who will probably like this?

  • cooldude03

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 3:24 pm PT

    The loss of jobs sucks. It's not easy being a small time developer in the video game industry. Good luck to the Razorworks employees.

  • sphinx-shadow

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 1:45 pm PT

    it all comes down to Pipe Mania how much it is worth to a developer like EA or Activision because we all know that ford racing it not a selling point.

  • Dj_Strafer

    Posted Jul 7, 2008 12:47 pm PT

    looks like crap.

  • living_wmd_888

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 4:02 pm PT

    Ford Racing.... pssssh. A blatant commercial for Ford, which badly needs any exposure.

    The XBL Double Dragon was pretty good though.

  • jjjulien

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 2:44 pm PT

    What is to happen to their enemy engaged franchise?

  • Lexxzilla

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 11:18 am PT

    I'm surprised that they even have to debate this, because many people (myself included) didn't even know they were still making games. Their games just flat out sucked.

  • K-Grogg

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 6:57 am PT

    There're Ford racing games?

  • TrueProphecy22

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 3:02 pm PT

    Who actually plays "Ford Racing" games?

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 5, 2008 2:07 pm PT

    this isnt that big of a deal. its cause there isnt enough gasoline to feed the game lol.

  • majidok

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 5:25 am PT

    Sad news

  • CaShmOn3y

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:40 pm PT

    What is Ford?

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 9:09 pm PT

    Only a ford cars game Hint:wont sell much

  • Agreb91

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 7:33 pm PT

    I think we will all survive without Ford racing.

  • V-Nine

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 5:02 pm PT

    ...guess the gas situation is affecting Ford in more was than one prhaps..heheheh.....

  • Richmaester6907

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 3:01 pm PT

    They dont have the most appealing titles to be honest I mean Pipe Mania.........WTF!?!?!?!?

  • DontEatCream

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 1:39 pm PT

    Whatever will we do without Ford Racing?! Oh, woe!

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:29 pm PT

    Hmm, well its bound to happen, if small time devs arent gonna put something spectacular on the board then many of them are going to go under or get closed by their affiliates because of the way the economy is going right now. Kinda sad to see so many companies going, companies that while they may not have shined yet, had potential to make an impact in the gaming world in one way or another. I mean look how small valve was when it made HL1 .... very small.

  • shrink45

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:27 pm PT

    Fail.

  • Ranteal posted Jul 3, 2008 12:10 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ranteal

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 12:10 pm PT (hide)

    FIRST!!!! I AM KING!!!!!

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