Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed reports of staff cuts across three studios and the cancellation of PS3 and PC MMO The Agency.
The company told PC Gamer it's closing its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios, and that 205 employees are being let go. Remaining employees at those studios will be transferred to San Diego to work on Planetside Next and an upcoming Everquest game.
SOE said in a statement: "As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios.
"As part of this restructuring, SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.
"This strategic decision will have no impact on SOE's current portfolio of live games; additionally SOE will transition development efforts for the Denver and Tucson studios' suite of products to its San Diego headquarters.
"This strategic alignment of development resources better positions SOE to remain a global leader in online gaming and deliver on its promise of creating entertaining games for players of all ages, and servicing the 20 million players that visited SOE servers in just the past year."
Comments
18 comments so far...
StonecoldMC on 1 Apr '11 said:
Sad to hear of anyone losing their job right now, fingers crossed the people let go can get into a job with a new studio asap.
STEVONYMO on 1 Apr '11 said:
Feck! Their are more cuts than at a vasectomy clinic these days! WTF is happening to the world.
Samildanach on 1 Apr '11 said:
I was actually looking forward to The Agency. I remember watching the video for it when it was announced and thought it looked good. Pity.
Mark240473 on 1 Apr '11 said:
That's sad to hear, but not unexpected.
I suppose gamers just aren't ready to stump up a monthly fee for an MMO. I thought that DCUO was a really fun experience, but not enough for me to pay monthly for, unfortunately.
Saying that, I do miss Otherman, my mysterious, otherworldly superhero. Hopefully, the fees will be small enough for me to continue my game soon.
buffig on 1 Apr '11 said:
The last I read, the studio themselves were entirely happy with how The Agency was going. Good luck to all who lost their jobs. Tough times
ParmaViolet on 1 Apr '11 said:
I think it really depends on the game. There are millions happily paying their monthly subs for WoW and we all know it'd be huge if it ever came to the consoles.
DCUO looks to be pretty good, but it probably suffers from being a bit of new game - I'm sure they'll add to it as they go along and it'll probably be 10 times the game in about a years time. Question is; will anyone be playing it then?
I used to play City of Heroes/Villains and absolutely loved my time on there, but that suffered from limitations and the grinding just gets a bit much in the end.
I'll be interested to see how Old Republic does.
flippy1008 on 1 Apr '11 said:
Let hope this isnt a really bad Aprils Fools...cos its absolutely c*** if it is!
backcue on 1 Apr '11 said:
ouch, tough times ahead for all...
Very_Silver_Ownz on 1 Apr '11 said:
wasn't this the game svd grasshopper would love to use when comparing 360 and PS3 exclusives ? lol he must be heart broken.
originalbadboy on 1 Apr '11 said:
At least Planetside Next is still going ahead ...
lonewolf2002 on 1 Apr '11 said:
This was announced yesterday so no April fools on this one.
metallicorphan on 1 Apr '11 said:
hmm,was that not the upcoming 'Agent' from Rockstar?...not entirely sure actually you may be right
PandyBear on 1 Apr '11 said:
well this isnt a very funny april fools joke :/
MPH on 1 Apr '11 said:
Hang on... WHAT!? A new PLANETSIDE game!? OMG MY G- *JIZZES CACKS*
Planetside was AWESOME. CVG are you going to run any news stories on this as this is the first I've heard of a new Planetside game? I even checked about a year ago to see if anything was on the horizon but I didn't find any news.
_Marty_ on 1 Apr '11 said:
Is this an indication of how well DC Universe Online did (or didn't)?
The sooner SOE die the better as far as I'm concerned. They've f*ked up countless games and screwed over countless subscribers over the years. I don't want to see anyone out of work, but SOE sucks ASS.
Is that tw*t Smedley still alive?
The_KFD_Case on 1 Apr '11 said:
I was thinking the same thing, yet it is you who is correct. He cited "Agent". Regardless, a rough day for those affected by the cuts.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 1 Apr '11 said:
'' hmm,was that not the upcoming 'Agent' from Rockstar?...not entirely sure actually you may be right ''
Not sure. I always mixed both of them up because they had similar names.
Barca Azul on 2 Apr '11 said:
Its a real shame, I've never played an MMO, and really liked the look of the agency.
I also think we are heading for another dip in the crisis pool and more jobs will go everywhere this year. It could also postpone any new consoles for a few years too!