‘War makes thieves and peace hangs them’
AAA development works, the large studio tells you. “Yes it is true we’ve let 27 people go today,” its press release reads as you imagine it dabbing crocodile tears with a fan of c-notes. “Unfortunately it’s something that every major studio has to do sometimes in order to ensure you have the right set up for current and future projects.”
“We’re very thankful for all their hard work,” the corporate press release reads. Very thankful, but not too thankful, because many workers on development teams in the hundreds are cogs chipping in. Easily replaceable. Easily let go to lower overheard until development on something else begins in earnest.
Thief is out. It was received tepidly. Twenty-seven people are out of work.
Big Layoffs At Thief Developer Eidos Montreal [Kotaku]