VU Cut's Staff
Date: Tuesday, June 22 @ 00:18:09 UTC
Topic: Off Topic
Vivendi Universal Games today announced a significant staff reorganization, including the elimination of 350 positions, in its North American operations. The changes are intended to reduce costs and better position the company for growth going forward.
"Restructuring the organization and reducing our cost base are necessary to improve our operating
effectiveness and profitability," said VU Games CEO Bruce Hack. "This constitutes another important step in our turnaround plan aimed to better position the Company for growth."
Vivendi has not divulged which groups in its organization are affected, apart from clarifying that Blizzard Entertainment is not among them. Blizzard is currently at work on the PC title World of Warcraft, planned for release later this year. The title represents VU Games' foray into MMORPGs, and is one of several high-profile titles which the company expects will drive a financial turn-around (there's a certain shooter sequel from Valve which might also sell a few copies).
We spoke with a representative at VU Games who clarified that the staff cuts will not affect the company's release schedule -- no games have been canceled or delayed from the reorganization. The cuts were spread among VU Games' North American operations and did not involve shutting down any specific studios or offices apart from its Bellevue, Washington office, where about 110 jobs were cut. That office focused on home productivity and casual gaming software, so gamers should have little to fear from the layoffs.
Source: IGN.com
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