Civilization Studio Hit By Layoffs

[Andy Chalk]

Civilization Studio Hit By Layoffs

Sid Meier's Civilization [http://www.firaxis.com/] games, has confirmed that it has laid off "about 20 people" from various departments, including animators, programmers and designers.

Firaxis Games was founded in 1996 by renowned industry veterans Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds and Jeff Briggs following their departure from Microprose. The studio has published a number of well-received games including Sid Meier's Civilization Network [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dvideogames&field-keywords=%22Sid+Meier%27s+Alpha+Centauri%22&x=0&y=0].

"I can confirm that Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process, reduce costs and maximize the overall performance the studio," Kotaku [http://www.2kgames.com/], slathering on a triple-thick layer of greasy PR-speak. "This will result in the elimination of approximately 20 positions. These reductions will not impact Firaxis' ability to create and deliver AAA titles, including its forthcoming Sid Meier's Civilization V and Sid Meier's Civilization Network for Facebook."

Sid Meier was reportedly not among the 20 Firaxis employees to be cut. Sid Meier's Civilization V is set for release in September, exclusively for the PC.


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[CezarIgnat]

"Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process"

What? >.>
No seriously...they fired people to "streamline its development process"...suuure...

 

[gibboss28]

"Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process"

What? >.>
No seriously...they fired people to "streamline its development process"...suuure...

Nicer way of saying "we're in the shitter and these fuckers had to go" don't you think?

 

[Spygon]

Wish compaines whould be honest for once as they could of said.

"We will be firing a few people so we can make a larger profit margin so that in the long run will help us to carry on producing games.We are still a buisness and are in the games industry in the first place to make money"

see simple

 

[Captain Pancake]

Well it would be stupid to fire the poster boy of the game. They couldn't attach "Sid Meier" to the title if he didn't work there could they?

 

[Tom Phoenix]

It's always worrying when you hear bad news about a company that deals with a genre of games that is already highly underpopulated. There are already very few turn-based strategies as it is, we cannot afford to lose the few companies that still make them.

Layoffs are never a good thing and I hope this is not a signal that Firaxis is in financial trouble.

 

[Cabisco]

It's always worrying when you hear bad news about a company that deals with a genre of games that is already highly underpopulated. There are already very few turn-based strategies as it is, we cannot afford to lose the few that still make them.

Layoffs are never a good thing and I hope this is not a signal that Firaxis is in financial trouble.

I'm thinking the same, i'm really hoping that this isnt part of a larger problem, who else will make games which quite literally takes days away from my life?!

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Layoffs are never a good thing and I hope this is not a signal that Firaxis is in financial trouble.

Firaxis are owned by Take-Two and they were haemorrhaging money last year, no two ways about it. Would of though that Red Dead Redemption would of been a help but I guess but who knows what is going on at Firaxis.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

Layoffs are never a good thing and I hope this is not a signal that Firaxis is in financial trouble.

Firaxis are owned by Take-Two and they were haemorrhaging money last year, no two ways about it. Would of though that Red Dead Redemption would of been a help but I guess but who knows what is going on at Firaxis.

If Firaxis isn't being financially successful, I doubt Take-Two will think of it that way. =/

But I suppose it's too early to say either way. Still, a worrying sign to be sure.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

If Firaxis isn't being financially successful, I doubt Take-Two will think of it that way. =/

It's hard to be successful just before they release the game. I suppose if an expensive unannounced project was cancelled then the suits might be in the mood to make human sacrifices to the graven idols in wall street.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Civ.
For.
Facebook.

That can't be legal. That's like having Industrial Strength Cocaine wrapped in Cannabis Leaves.

 

[Weaver]

Did they lay off any useless upper management execs?

 

[Tharwen]

Civ.
For.
Facebook.

That can't be legal. That's like having Industrial Strength Cocaine wrapped in Cannabis Leaves...

...with the Robot Unicorn Attack soundtrack on loop...

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Civ.
For.
Facebook.

That can't be legal. That's like having Industrial Strength Cocaine wrapped in Cannabis Leaves...

...with the Robot Unicorn Attack soundtrack on loop...

...on fire...

 

[Jared]

Well at least Sid still there...but still, sucks for the people. I hope they can do well and find something!

 

[Tharwen]

Civ.
For.
Facebook.

That can't be legal. That's like having Industrial Strength Cocaine wrapped in Cannabis Leaves...

...with the Robot Unicorn Attack soundtrack on loop...

...on fire...

...with a panda!

Spoiler

[sub]What's the thread again?[/sub]

 

[TheRaider]

They could just be people they decieded were underperfoming and not worth the cost. Nobody really considers that sometimes you have to remove staff to improve things.

 

[Void(null)]

All of you people who didn't pre-order, I hope you feel good about yourselves now!

Oh shit... I totally forgot to pre-order.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Wow, I thought Activision were the assholes of the industry. It really sucks for these people, I'm sure many of them were quite talented. Guess there's nothing any of us can do, aside from buying Civ5, of course...