Wolfenstein multiplayer team axed on release day

mlauzon

On the same day that Activision releases its latest title in the Wolfenstein franchise, GamesIndustry.biz can confirm that a number of the team responsible for the multiplayer portion of the game have been laid off.

UK based Endrant Studios had been co-developing Wolfenstein with Raven Software, and it was the first title by the team since forming in July 2008.

"We have recently completed a development cycle and have regrettably been forced to make adjustments to staff and headcounts," said a spokesperson for the studio.

"Those affected are valued members of our team who have worked incredibly hard on our latest title. We hope that they land on their feet quickly."

The spokesperson could not specify the exact number of redundancies at the 17-man team due to ongoing efforts to secure other work.

Wolfenstein for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is released today in North America, and on Friday in Europe.

Source: GameIndustry.biz

Dekron

I saw it in the store today - I was thinking about picking up it, but now I am not. It still states multi-player - lying bastards.

sepher

Originally posted by Dekron


I saw it in the store today - I was thinking about picking up it, but now I am not. It still states multi-player - lying bastards.

 

I thought that was what the article title meant too, that multiplayer gameplay wouldn't be supported. But it's a layoff press release for the team that developed the multiplayer portion.

 

tvalentine

bleh this is just stupid. The reason they give is even more stupid. Laying off a whole team of a game just about to get released seems like a hit below the belt to all the people involved and their families. Think i'll be staying away from activision for a bit.

Astropuyo

Yep while I do admit sometimes you have to trim the fat of a company , but this is foul.

Not to mention I only played the last wolfenstein for the MP factor.

I'm not going to play a game where MP support is essentially dead. I only play FPS's to kill my fellow men. (and to team up with em).

I cannot think of 1 fps I've ever played the story all the way through... Wait yes I can. Land of the Dead.

(The story has ALWAYS sucked, sorry fanboys, but it just has.)

Dekron

Originally posted by sepher

Originally posted by Dekron


I saw it in the store today - I was thinking about picking up it, but now I am not. It still states multi-player - lying bastards.

 

I thought that was what the article title meant too, that multiplayer gameplay wouldn't be supported. But it's a layoff press release for the team that developed the multiplayer portion.

 

I read the article, I thought it was stating they were axed before finishing. But, if it is implemented already, that now begs the question "What now?"

After a games launches with multi-player support, there is traditionally a number of patches implemented to tweak it to proper performance. I would rather have no multi-player than broken, frustrating multi-player.

Astropuyo

Originally posted by Dekron

Originally posted by sepher

Originally posted by Dekron


I saw it in the store today - I was thinking about picking up it, but now I am not. It still states multi-player - lying bastards.

 

I thought that was what the article title meant too, that multiplayer gameplay wouldn't be supported. But it's a layoff press release for the team that developed the multiplayer portion.

 

I read the article, I thought it was stating they were axed before finishing. But, if it is implemented already, that now begs the question "What now?"

After a games launches with multi-player support, there is traditionally a number of patches implemented to tweak it to proper performance. I would rather have no multi-player than broken, frustrating multi-player.

Exactly.

Multiplayer mode needs intense team based building. If they bring new people on, oi vey.

That's "if" . As it stands right now the MP will be borked and full of holes until or IF activision gets off their ass.

Man1ac

Isn't it illegal to fire someone on the spot without a concrete reason?

Dekron

Originally posted by Man1ac


Isn't it illegal to fire someone on the spot without a concrete reason?

Not if they are an "at will" company.

Gameloading

I'll be buying in the game soon but from what I heard of reviews, the multiplayer really isn't that good anyway.



Perhaps they will release a multiplayer component for free, like they did with Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy territory

sepher

Originally posted by Gameloading


I'll be buying in the game soon but from what I heard of reviews, the multiplayer really isn't that good anyway.



Perhaps they will release a multiplayer component for free, like they did with Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy territory

 

Yeah after actually playing, I highly doubt Endrant would've remained on as keepers of the multiplayer anyway. The multiplayer is pretty lackluster, I'd much rather id Software and Raven take control of it. That's not to cover up the always misfortune of mass layoffs though, those always suck. But Endrant didn't do a good job on Wolfenstein's multiplayer, I wouldn't doubt that the layoffs were related.