Sad news rolled down the pipe today as it was announced that both 38 Studios and BioWare Austin are laying off employees.
The 38 Studios layoffs are not all that surprising, considering that the developer missed its first loan payment due date and then couldn't pay its employees thereafter. It also goes a bit without saying that layoffs also violates one of the terms of the loan, which was to bring 450 jobs to Rhode Island by the end of 2012. Neither Governor Chafee nor 38 Studios has commented on how many employees will be losing their jobs. Governor Chafee did stress once more that 38 Studios needs to find a private investor to protect both itself and the taxpayers of Rhode Island.
Sadly, the layoffs in the Star Wars The Old Republic sector of BioWare aren't that surprising either. The game had a great start, but has been puttering out over the last couple of months. Diablo III releasing last week has undoubtedly not helped the drop-rate of subscribers. The drop-off has been bad enough that BioWare founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka announced in the SWTOR forums that the developing studio in Austin, Texas will be downsized.
We at Game Revolution offer our condolences and thoughts and prayers to those who have found themselves without unemployment. Good luck and godspeed to your next destination.
