Update: Icarus Studios Responds to Closure Report

[John Funk]

Update: Icarus Studios Responds to Closure Report

Icarus Studios has contacted The Escapist in response to previously-reported news that the Fallen Earth developer had closed its doors.

Earlier today, we reported that an inside source had told The Escapist that Fallen Earth developer Icarus Studios had boarded up shop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100379-Fallen-Earth-Developer-Icarus-Studios-Closes-Up-Shop]. Representatives from Icarus Studios have contacted us to clarify the events of this morning. According to marketing manager Jessica Orr, the information from our insider was inaccurate, and Icarus has not closed, though it has undergone severe restructuring.

According to Orr, Icarus still retains 28 employees in addition to GMs and customer support, and did it provide a time by which the laid-off employees had to leave. The studio has not sold any equipment: "[O]ur sound and mocap studios are intact, as well as all office resources."

"The game is actually performing quite well," said Orr. "ubscriptions are doing well and we are on schedule to release the Blood Sports Patch 1.4 next week (including PvP arenas, clan wars, a new achievements system and a new content area, Deadfall); we are also on schedule for all content patches and development beyond the May 7 patch."

So, there you have it - one of our sources says one thing, and the official word says something completely different.

"While the decisions made this morning were difficult, overall they will prove health for our company and the game as a whole," said Orr. For the sake of those working on - and playing - the game, I can only hope she's right.

Update: According to Triangle news site The Observer [http://blogs.newsobserver.com/business/icarus-studios-falls-to-earth-cuts-staff]'s business section, the total number of positions cut was a painful-sounding 75, reducing Icarus' staff from 110 people to just 35.

Icarus co-founder and CEO James Hettinger has also left the company, though Icarus' Jessica Orr (who contacted us as seen above) stressed that Hettinger's resignation was completely voluntary. Phillip Hall, former VP of production, will take the helm as acting CEO in Hettinger's absence.

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[Pimppeter2]

Well that's good to hear. The title on the other thread quickly confused me.

Funny mishap though.

 

[deleted_scifidownbeat]

DELETED

 

[fatboy21007]

inside source i can almost tell was a pissed off ex employee all companies do a downsize and dont forget his company had alot of projects going and seems they shut them down to do a full 100% focus on FE their money maker. Unless u hear it directly from icarus dont beleave it. and i for 1 can tell u the games doin great as im subed on it and population has been growing and even old players have begun returning.

 

[Russ Pitts]

inside source i can almost tell was a pissed off ex employee all companies do a downsize and dont forget his company had alot of projects going and seems they shut them down to do a full 100% focus on FE their money maker. Unless u hear it directly from icarus dont beleave it. and i for 1 can tell u the games doin great as im subed on it and population has been growing and even old players have begun returning.

Just as an FYI, people with extremely low post counts aren't particularly reliable sources either, dude.

 

[zeroReactivity]

inside source i can almost tell was a pissed off ex employee all companies do a downsize and dont forget his company had alot of projects going and seems they shut them down to do a full 100% focus on FE their money maker. Unless u hear it directly from icarus dont beleave it. and i for 1 can tell u the games doin great as im subed on it and population has been growing and even old players have begun returning.

Just as an FYI, people with extremely low post counts aren't particularly reliable sources either, dude.

Noooo! Now no one will take my plans for world domination seriously.

On topic, it seems like Icarus responded within an hour of the original, possibly inaccurate story. Maybe you should give them a little more of a chance to respond before too much FUD gets out... but I know it's easy to critique in hindsight (and companies aren't usually too forthcoming on such things).

 

[John Funk]

ahh dont take ur anger out on me cuz u screwed up and posted the wrong info from sum angry turd who misimformed you. cuz if ud go Visit the FE fourms then welp ud know the truth ok u can ban me from this site u guys already killed off ur rep. and well i never use i use good sites that get the facts directly from the company. Peace. hope to see u in FE sumday so i can give ya a good ass kicking

I can assure you, we have very good reason to trust our sources. As always, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle - and if you could read well, you'd see that we'd sourced the post on the FE forums already

BTW, threatening staff is a no-no. See ya.

 

[Russ Pitts]

inside source i can almost tell was a pissed off ex employee all companies do a downsize and dont forget his company had alot of projects going and seems they shut them down to do a full 100% focus on FE their money maker. Unless u hear it directly from icarus dont beleave it. and i for 1 can tell u the games doin great as im subed on it and population has been growing and even old players have begun returning.

Just as an FYI, people with extremely low post counts aren't particularly reliable sources either, dude.

Noooo! Now no one will take my plans for world domination seriously.

On topic, it seems like Icarus responded within an hour of the original, possibly inaccurate story. Maybe you should give them a little more of a chance to respond before too much FUD gets out... but I know it's easy to critique in hindsight (and companies aren't usually too forthcoming on such things).

We're in contact with Icarus. We have a generally good relationship with them. I'm confident that whatever the truth is here, it will become clear in time. Stay tuned!

 

[Bretty]

Yeah, does anyone else see the trend of letting go all of the Dev staff after games are published? Like these companies are set up for single hit wonders or something. Take for example AA3.

 

[zeroReactivity]

We're in contact with Icarus. We have a generally good relationship with them. I'm confident that whatever the truth is here, it will become clear in time. Stay tuned!

Cool. Yeah, I always find it scary how mass layoffs can just happen like that- a few hours and you're out. I know that's pretty standard practice across many types of companies large and small and for various reasons, but it's hardly reassuring. Even at the end of internships I've had the "security will fry your PC and escort you to the gate now" treatment. It's understandable but not the most pleasant way to end. Good luck to the ex-Icarii!

 

[Outlaw Torn]

Just goes to show how (presumably) anonymous sources aren't the bottom line in any news. Good news for the folks who keep their jobs then, not so for the rest.

 

[Russ Pitts]

We're in contact with Icarus. We have a generally good relationship with them. I'm confident that whatever the truth is here, it will become clear in time. Stay tuned!

Cool. Yeah, I always find it scary how mass layoffs can just happen like that- a few hours and you're out. I know that's pretty standard practice across many types of companies large and small and for various reasons, but it's hardly reassuring. Even at the end of internships I've had the "security will fry your PC and escort you to the gate now" treatment. It's understandable but not the most pleasant way to end. Good luck to the ex-Icarii!

I saw it happen first-hand, long ago in my past life. People go into a room with a job, walk out crying with a box and are gone within the hour. It's never fun. For anyone.

 

[Poomanchu745]

Well thats good news although im not really sure how it bodes for their MMO. If it is growing, hopefully it can prop up the company, but anytime "restructuring" takes place you know their profit margins are not what they should be. I don't play their game but hopefully for the people that do, this ends well and gives them more content and support in the future.

 

[LoopyDood]

We're in contact with Icarus. We have a generally good relationship with them. I'm confident that whatever the truth is here, it will become clear in time. Stay tuned!

Cool. Yeah, I always find it scary how mass layoffs can just happen like that- a few hours and you're out. I know that's pretty standard practice across many types of companies large and small and for various reasons, but it's hardly reassuring. Even at the end of internships I've had the "security will fry your PC and escort you to the gate now" treatment. It's understandable but not the most pleasant way to end. Good luck to the ex-Icarii!

I saw it happen first-hand, long ago in my past life. People go into a room with a job, walk out crying with a box and are gone within the hour. It's never fun. For anyone.

I'm too young to have seen that happen, so I can only imagine. How can a company justify not giving the laid off employees at least a week's notice?

 

[UnSeEn60]

This is good news. I've been debating picking up FE recently...seems like it would totally be up my alley game-wise. Glad to hear that they're still actively releasing content!

 

[Mr. Grey]

I still need to get more money to pay monthly, if only they offered lifetime... I really do hope they're doing fine and they will continue to do so, because I want to be able to return to the game.

Still, I'll keep my hopes low just on the off-chance this turns sour.

 

[antman9000]

i didnt even know this game was already out lol. i need to do more research..

 

[Precocious Rayne]

ahh dont take ur anger out on me cuz u screwed up and posted the wrong info from sum angry turd who misimformed you. cuz if ud go Visit the FE fourms then welp ud know the truth ok u can ban me from this site u guys already killed off ur rep. and well i never use i use good sites that get the facts directly from the company. Peace. hope to see u in FE sumday so i can give ya a good ass kicking

I can assure you, we have very good reason to trust our sources. As always, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle - and if you could read well, you'd see that we'd sourced the post on the FE forums already

BTW, threatening staff is a no-no. See ya.

Now really, this is just silly. Was this guy "threatening staff" when he said he was going to "kick your ass in Fallen Earth?" (clearly he meant PvP). The fact remains it's sad when anyone can check the company's website and forums, and read the post by the community manager, and be more informed than the supposed 'experts' at the Escapist and their "sources" (as a few have said, likely a very angry former or current employee). Sure, there's been an internal shakeup, some people let go, and 'restructuring' which is always company speak for 'downsizing' 'letting people go' etc. and maybe lead/creative developer Lee Hammock left for a reason, and maybe he didn't. It's a sad day when Massively gets the story closer to correct than Escapist does, and doesn't end up having to print an "update"/retraction and end up with their foot planted firmly in mouth. Really, that's just amateur hour stuff guys, you're better than this.

Long time lurker, longer time reader,

"Rayne"

Edit: To further clarify, I am not threatening staff, (I don't even PvP in FE, though I do play it). I generally prefer your guys news reporting to Massively and the like, because it's generally more accurate, or at least a dang sight more funny. This is most assuradly NOT good news for Icarus, but it's not "company is closing it's doors" news either, to be that far off the mark...well. Let's just say if I were Icarus right now, I might be wondering how much damage this news story did to my rep, and if there was any form of liable action I could take...hence why you guys should be more careful when you're posting "breaking news" like that, or at least cooroberate with more than one "source". It's true the truth of it is likely somewhere in the middle, but I'd be worried right now if I were working this one. Of course, if I were working at Icarus, I'd probably STILL be worried...

 

[rokudan]

Its a fun game. Very different from many 1-click-combat MMO's. Not everyone's cup of tea, but its nice to have something different.

 

[Precocious Rayne]

I agree. The crafting system reminds me of early SWG (the only part of early SWG that was that good).