On Game Informer [via Joystiq], Disney has sent the following statement in regards to layoffs taking place at Split/Second developer, Black Rock Studios: “Disney Interactive Studios confirms a reduction of its workforce from its Brighton-based internal game development studio, Black Rock Studios. The studio will continue its work on its current project.”
Accordingly, a sequel to Split/Second has been canned since last December, citing the management changes, leaving much of the development team with nothing to work on: “Disney have been unable to provide us with a project to work on, and our concept pitches clearly haven’t gone down well (despite there being many of them).”
Eurogamer has reported that today begins the round of voluntary layoffs that are meant to reduce the staff by at least 40 people. The studio will stick around but focus on creating one game at a time. The staff remaining at Black Rock are working on a new game, described as “promising” and “new and risky.” We wish those who left Black Rock Studio the best of luck.
