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Layoffs Rock Activision’s Guitar Hero & Skylanders Franchises


Posted on February 16, 2016 by Rae Michelle Richards

Yesterday was no party for the folks who work hard on Activision’s long running Guitar Hero and Skylanders franchises. As first reported by game informer via an anonymous source, it appears that the layoffs have specifically affected the development staff based in Minneapolis Minnesota.

The first entry in the Guitar Hero franchise in a number of years, Guitar Hero Live, was developed by Freestyle Games based in the United Kingdom. GH: Live was well received by critics, including us, especially for its Guitar Hero TV Mode which allows players to try out specially curated playlists, limited-time special events and downloadable content without spending any real world cash. GH: Live was a re-invention of sorts for the franchise with a revised guitar controller.

Skylanders saw the release of Skylanders Superchargers almost every major platform including mobile. With a focus on vehicles and a special partnership with Nintendo that ended up in the creation of two hybrid Skylanders / Amiibo figures it is a little surprsing that this entry developed by Vicarious Visions and Beenox under performed.

Both franchises were singled out as under performing during Activision’s recent earnings call. Although they did not confirm the layoffs to major gaming press they did issue a statement which in part read:

“We are refocusing to better align with Activision’s long-term priorities because, as always, our strategy evolves to keep us ahead of a rapidly-changing industry. We are working with those impacted by the changes to offer outplacement services and support.”

Our sympathies to everyone affected by these recent round of lay offs. The games industry can be a cruel sector to work in and turn over is never easy.


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Star Wars 1313 and First Assault Cancelled As LucasArts Shifts Focus


Posted on April 3, 2013 by Rae Michelle Richards

LucasArts have decided to shift their focus from internally developed games, such as next-gen title Star Wars 1313, in favor of licensing out the Star Wars property to third party developers. The development teams behind both Stars Wars 1313 and unconfirmed Battle Assault have both been laid out following this decision, according to Kotaku.Read More


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Major Lay-offs At Sony Affecting Divisions Worldwide


Posted on October 20, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Sony confirmed via press release last evening that massive lay-offs have hit the company. One of the world’s largest videogame, phone and television manufacturing companies will continue to shed 10,000 workers or 6% of its workforce. According to the release all areas will be affected including online services like the Sony Entertainment Network (formally PSN), Sony Ericson Smartphones and Research and Development.

Sony Japan reported a loss of several billion yen for the fiscal year 2013 and hopes to have things turned around by the time their fiscal year 2014 results are reported sometime next year. These layoffs have been staggered across Sony’s major divisions, the original intent to lay-off 10,000 workers hinted at this past April and August. The next phase of these reductions will take place at Sony’s Tokyo headquarters as the company moves office space to save money this October, as well as a shutdown of the Sony Ericson Partnership.Read More


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