Bizarre Creations to close down.

[flameboy]

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/rumour-bizarre-creations-facing-closure

 

Reports suggest that 200 staff put on three months’ notice.

 

Develop is reporting unofficial sources have confirmed that the James Bond 007: Blood Stone and Blur developer, bought by Activision in September 2007 for £67 million, is to close.

 

No word has been offered yet from either Bizarre Creations or Activision.

 

The studio released James Bond 007: Blood Stone in Europe on November 5 to middling reviews and unexceptional sales, and Blur in late May to good reviews but again unexceptional sales.

 

So yet another example of a company being bought out and then down the line getting shut down. People who been there for ages must feel totally shat on.

[Ryan]

What the fuck?

[Chuck]

It can still be bought by another publisher in the 90 day period.

[Cube]

Interestingly, there were recent rumours that Microsoft were looking for the right team to carry on the PGR franchise...

[Dyson]

Let 'em. Blur was fantastic, I'd love to see what they could do with the PGR license now they've had more time and experience with the 360s architecture.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Dyson

[killer kirby]

[Choze]

Their sales record is terrible. People here might like them but if they get closed down it would not be surprising.

[Murr]

Also Budcat Creations being closed by Activision.

 

Activision has closed Iowa-based game developer Budcat Creations and let go a number of employees in its quality assurance department, the publisher confirmed this afternoon.

 

Budcat mainly developed the Guitar Hero and Band Hero ports for PlayStation 2 and Wii. Activision sent out this brief statement to the press:

 

We continue to streamline our music development resources to ensure that they are aligned against our slate and strategic goals. As a result, we are implementing a targeted reduction in jobs in our Quality Assurance team in California and closing our Budcat studio in Iowa.

 

Budcat has been a great partner to Activision and has created a lasting impact on the Guitar Hero franchise.

 

Approximately 88 positions, or approximately 1% of our global workforce, will be impacted by these reductions. We are working to redirect those employees that are impacted to other parts of the company where possible, as well as offering them outplacement counseling services.

Earlier today, Activision also announced it was looking to possibly sell Bizarre Creations citing low sales of its latest racer, Blur, and the declining consumer interest in the racing genre.

 

 

I guess they feel confident that they can buy Harmonix.

[Ryan]

 

What you get for posting his picture kirby..