Games Thirst – Amazing Life
38 Studios and Big Huge Games have laid off their entire staff following May 1st reports that 38 studios had stopped paying its employees. About 400 people were made redundant. Plain and simple, both studios are dead. All the details inside
“Big Huge Games was home for my wife and me for our adult lives so far. I’ll miss it terribly, but so proud. Good night and good luck,” former Big Huge Games lead world designer Colin Campbell said via twitter. Big Huge Games newly released title Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning was moderately successful, however new reports claim the game would need to sell 3 million units just to break even. Big Huge Games was acquired by 38 Studios.
WPRI got ahold of the internal memo to employees at 38 Studios, which reads: “The Company is experiencing an economic downturn. To avoid further losses and possibility of retrenchment, the Company has decided that a companywide lay off is absolutely necessary. These layoffs are non-voluntary and non-disciplinary. This is your official notice of lay off, effective today, Thursday, May 24th, 2012.”
Meanwhile, Industry veterans including journalists, PR people, developers, artists and designs have tried finding jobs for the employed, relaying messages via twitter. In fact, the hashtag #38Jobs rose to trending status in the U.S. when people started listed studios which were hiring, and sending general shouts of support to the former employees.
Also, according to Joystiq, A Facebook group titled “38Jobs” came to life around the same time. Freelance games journolist Alex Rubens garnered all of these jobs tips into a Google Doc, listing 84 studios with openings, including Irrational Games, Bungie, Activision, Klei Entertainment, Rockstar and other major and indie companies.
We’re hoping for the best outcome. Good luck to all.
