Lionhead Employees Laid Off by Microsoft - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 16 October 2012 / 7,038 Views
Microsoft has laid off an undisclosed number of employees at its Lionhead Studios now that Fable: The Journey has been complete. Suggestions do lead us to believe that less than 10 percent of employees have been affected.
"There is a thoughtful and fair consultation process for all employees to ensure they have the best possible chance of finding a role inside Microsoft Studios," said the company in a statement to GamesIndustry International. "We are working closely with the affected employees during this difficult time, and helping them to explore opportunities. We do not have an exact number to share but by the end of 2012 these reductions will account for less than 10 per cent of the overall headcount at Lionhead."
"Following the completion of Fable: The Journey, Lionhead Studios has begun work on its next projects," Microsoft added. "As is common in the games industry, a smaller headcount is needed as projects kick-off and ramp up as full-production gets underway."
"At this time a small number of positions have been identified as at risk of redundancy and the affected employees were notified today," Microsoft continued. "We are working very closely with those people during this difficult time, to help them explore alternative opportunities within Microsoft - including new roles at Microsoft Studios which is growing in the UK and actively hiring across all locations, including Lionhead, Rare, Soho Productions and our recently announced new studio in London."
Microsoft added that it does plan on hiring more than 100 new employees to its internal studios by June 2013.
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That always sucks. Hope they land on their feet.
100 new employees isn't bad though for one year.
Sounds like Microsoft both acknowledges how bad it is to lose their work and that the people they are letting go from Lionhead are still valuable workers that they will look at keeping in other areas of Microsofts Studios. Must be still really good workers if this is the case.
