Major Layoffs at WildStar Dev Affect 60

Just four months after the release of sci-fi PC MMO WildStar in June, developer Carbine Studios has cut "around 60" positions, in addition to further layoffs at publisher NCSoft's western business unit.

This according to a statement received by Polygon, which says the job losses were part of a "restructuring of key operations with [NCSoft] West."

NCSoft added that it remains committed to its major MMO franchises such as WildStar, Aion, Lineage, and Guild Wars, though it also plans to move into the mobile and tablet markets. NCSoft saw "staff reductions" across all its Western business units, except for Guild Wars developer ArenaNet, according to the statement.

An anonymous source told Polygon that the layoffs at Carbine affected employees "across all levels." Carbine--which was founded in 2005 by former Blizzard Entertainment veterans--is based in Aliso Viejo, California. The studio had 200+ employees before the job cuts this week.

WildStar is the studio's only game so far.

NCSoft's full statement on the staff reductions is below.

"Today we announced a restructuring of key operations within NC West. As a result of this restructuring, we are implementing staff reductions across our Western operations with the exclusion of ArenaNet. While decisions like this are always hard, they are necessary as we begin the implementation of a new strategy designed to strengthen our footing as a leader in global entertainment.

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on our core development capabilities and the intellectual properties (WildStar, Aion, Lineage, and Guild Wars franchises) that have made NCSOFT what it is today. However, we are looking to move into new business segments like mobile and tablet games as well as explore emerging technologies.

Again, the decision to reduce staff was not an easy one, and we sincerely wish everyone well in their next endeavors."