[Update] Breaking: Activision Shutters Project Gotham Dev Bizarre Creations?

[John Funk]

[Update] Breaking: Activision Shutters Project Gotham Dev Bizarre Creations?

Reports are coming in from multiple sources that Activision has closed Project Gotham & Geometry Wars studio Bizarre Creations.

According to UK industry publication Develop - and other sources [http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413199] - the publisher closed the Liverpool, UK-based studio earlier today. All 200 staff at Bizarre have been made redundant and laid off.

Bizarre is best known for its Project Gotham Racing series as well as its downloadable Geometry Wars games. This year, Bizarre shipped two titles for Activision, 007: Blood Stone [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/7674-Review-Blur]. Neither lit up the sales charts, which may have influenced the actions the publisher supposedly took.

There has been no official word yet, and we've reached out to learn more. If this is true, best of luck to everyone at Bizarre - studio shutdowns after shipping holiday titles are all too common in this industry no matter who the publisher is, but that doesn't make it any less painful when it happens.

Check back soon for more.

Update: Activision has released a statement by way of Shack News [http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/66490]:

[blockquote]Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business.[/blockquote]

In other words, there's been no official say either way. One can only hope that Activision is indeed looking to sell Bizarre rather than close it down entirely.

Permalink

 

[The Lunatic]

Well, that's Activision Blizzard for you.

The only thing that ever matters, is if you can make money.

 

[PipBoy2000]

wow... isn't this sort of drastic? i mean, it's an old developer with a decent developing history...
what a shame.

 

[RobCoxxy]

"You've done a great job this year guys.
Now get the fuck out."


Gotta love the "Activision Congratulations"

 

[David Sterling]

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU--

-shakes fist-
KKKKKKOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JourneyThroughHell]

Oh no. Oh, please, no.

Is this some kind of competition for you, guys? Are you trying to fuck up as many development studios as you possibly can, Activision? Okay, since you can't exactly exploit Blur or Blood Stone with sequel after sequel every damn year, let's shut them down?

I hate myself for getting Black Ops now. Because, frankly, with an approach like this they can just demolish studios expecting their payment for games and hire other people to make the sequels.

Goodbye, Bizzare Creations. I hope you, guys, find a reputable and trusted publisher.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Oh Activision, you are almost Skeletor levels of evil

 

[VulakAerr]

Activision fucked up the marketing on Blur. It reviewed well, better than Split Second, but was sent out to die with a disagreement between Activision and retailers and next-to-zero marketing. This is really sad. I've had fond memories of Bizarre games.

 

[Warrior Irme]

Project Gotham Racing was the first racing game I actually bought outside of Mario Kart. I absolutely loved it, and Geometry wars and Blur are awesome as well. If this is true my anger at Activision will only grow.

 

[The_Emperor]

This is why I won't be buying COD:the next one

or COD:the most recent one

after MW2 they can suck my buns. I will literally only buy an activision game that is awesome and that I've tried at someone elses house.

BTW I played COD MP at my friends and guess what? ITS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS 2.

Mildly fun, nothing special.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

They were better off with Microsoft...

Maybe MS will scoop them back up?

At least the employees. Under a different studio name.

 

[Invariel]

Good bye, Bizarre Creations. Thank you for the three Geometry Wars games in my library.

I hope some good comes out of this and you end up being able to continue making fantastic games somehow else.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I'd say something bad about Activision, but I honestly don't think I can top what they're doing themselves.

Goddam it, even APPLE have standards.

BTW Guys, I'm damn sure EA would like to have you along. Especially if you bring some Blizzard handiwork with you.

Probably Infinity Ward as well.

 

[qbanknight]

And another Activision 3rd party developer bites the dust

 

[Ekonk]

Note to self: never do business with Activision.

 

[GloatingSwine]

I thought Blood Stone was a good game, even if it features the worst Bond as the main character and all.

Surely they haven't brought "double 0 plank" Lazenby back?

 

[josemlopes]

Wasnt Activision the one who shut down the guys that made Sabouter?
These games were good, I really dont understand. If the games were getting reviews of 4.0 or something it would be ok but they get 7.0s and 8.0s