studio closures

AppWizard
March 28, 2025
Warner Bros. Games has canceled plans for an expansion and a "Definitive Edition" release of Hogwarts Legacy as part of its restructuring efforts. The cancellation was influenced by a cost-benefit analysis that deemed the financial investment unjustifiable. This decision follows substantial financial losses from other Warner titles, leading to studio closures and the cancellation of a Wonder Woman game. David Haddad, the chief of Warner Bros. Games, resigned prior to these closures. Despite the success of Hogwarts Legacy in 2023 and the company's commitment to the Harry Potter franchise, the cancellation of the expansion has raised questions. A sequel to Hogwarts Legacy remains a priority for Warner.
AppWizard
March 1, 2025
Warner Bros reported a 53% drop in revenue for its gaming division in 2024, as disclosed in its 10-K filing with the SEC. The overall content revenue declined by eight percent, primarily due to the decrease in gaming revenue, which saw a 29% year-on-year drop in the final quarter of 2024. The decline is attributed to underperforming titles in 2024, following the success of previous releases like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1. The company plans to close several studios, including Monolith, Player First, and its San Diego studio, and will focus on four key franchises: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC Comics. Warner Bros aims to restore profitability to its Games division by 2025 and enhance its contribution to the company's growth.
AppWizard
February 26, 2025
Warner Bros has announced the closure of three development studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and its mobile-focused San Diego studio. As a result, 131 employees in Kirkland, Washington, will be laid off. Monolith Productions is known for titles such as Fear, Condemned, Shadow of Mordor, and Shadow of War, but its anticipated Wonder Woman game will not be developed. Player First Games is recognized for the game Multiversus. Warner Bros stated that the closures are part of a strategic shift to focus on key franchises like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones, and emphasized that the decision does not reflect the talent of the teams involved.
AppWizard
February 25, 2025
Paul Ehreth, CEO of NetEase-backed Anchor Point Studios, stated that the studio has not been affected by the recent closures and layoffs in the gaming industry. He emphasized that Anchor Point Studios is committed to growth and is actively hiring. Ehreth noted that NetEase has been a supportive partner, allowing for creative control and development support. He expressed optimism about future projects and encouraged potential candidates to join the studio, highlighting its stability amid industry challenges.
AppWizard
August 2, 2024
PocketGamer.biz has launched its annual Mobile Games Industry Trends Survey for industry professionals, which aims to assess current sentiments in the mobile games sector, including trends like cross-platform development, hybrid-casual gaming, the MENA games industry, subscription services, privacy challenges, and third-party marketplaces. The survey is designed to take a few minutes and includes multiple-choice questions about company performance and industry outlook. Participants will remain anonymous, and their insights will contribute to a report shared in October. As an incentive, participants can win prizes, including a free conference ticket, a promotional package, or a £200 Amazon gift voucher, and receive a 30% discount on tickets for the Pocket Gamer Connects London event in January. The submission deadline is August 31st, 2024.
AppWizard
June 12, 2024
Sumo Group has announced layoffs of up to 15% of its workforce in order to secure the future of the business. This decision comes after showcasing multiple games at Summer Game Fest events and aims to reshape operations to navigate future challenges. The closure of development studio Timbre Games, founded by Sumo Group in July 2021, may result from these layoffs.
Winsage
May 10, 2024
- Hi-Fi Rush, developed by Tango Gameworks, will have a physical edition released through Limited Run Games, despite the closure of the studio. - Limited Run Games confirmed that the physical launch plans for Hi-Fi Rush remain on track. - The gaming industry is shifting towards digital downloads, but there is still a dedicated market for physical game releases. - Hi-Fi Rush may potentially be delisted from digital storefronts due to licensed music, but re-licensing is not out of the question. - Despite the closure of Tango Gameworks, the legacy of Hi-Fi Rush will continue, offering players the chance to experience the game on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.
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