LucasArts adjusts staffing by a 30% reduction

01 Sep, 2010, 21:40 | Posted by: Zaarin | Source: NetworkWorld

Or in plainspeak, LucasArts canned 30% of its staff to "better address the needs of the internal studio". Which means they want to spend less money to make money.

UPDATE by Tingler: Kotaku have some words from some of these ex-employees. They call it a "massacre" (they don't actually kill their ex-employees do they? Mind you, we haven't seen Sean Clark in a while) while reporting that at least 85 people have been shown the door. Around 60 of those came from internal development.

A statement from the company reads:

"LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing. LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio – and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners – in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."

Well, at least that might mean Tales of Monkey Island Season Two might still be on.

Still, this is horrible news. Again.

Comments: 16

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Comment by: SurplusGamer | Posted 02 Sep, 2010, 11:16 | Quote
tfarr
I wish LucasArts would at least notice that they cancelled The Force Unleashed III and NO ONE CARED and compare that to the public outrage that followed the cancellation of Freelance Police.

If that's not more fuel to release more special edition adventure games and less Star Wars, I don't know what is.

Unfortunately you're assuming that the amount of people that really care has a much stronger effect on sales than it actually does. There IS a relationship but it's not a straightforward one.

Would S&M:FP have done decent enough sales? Probably.
Would it have done decent sales if nobody cared? Nah.
Do people care deeply about TFUIII? Nah.
Will it do decent enough sales? Probably.
Is how much people care a reliable way to decide business matters? Sadly, nah.
Comment by: The Tingler | Posted 02 Sep, 2010, 08:53 | Quote
Zaarin
I already quoted the statement!

I said to stop picking on me! :P
Comment by: GozzoMan | Posted 02 Sep, 2010, 05:17 | Quote
tfarr

Seriously, there's no point in ever giving a shit about this company, other than they hold the legal license to our child hood joys.

I'm really afraid you're really right <:|

tfarr
I wish LucasArts would at least notice that they cancelled The Force Unleashed III and NO ONE CARED and compare that to the public outrage that followed the cancellation of Freelance Police.

Good point too. Unfortunately, that assumes the management to have at least basic cue.
Comment by: jp-30 | Posted 02 Sep, 2010, 04:56 | Quote
@: Shmargin.

The President who came in and ~~made you think he was doing~~ did smart things ALSO sent a large number of staff packing not long after he took over.

http://kotaku.com/5013987/lucasarts-confirms-layoffs-says-theyre-still-healthy

Nobody denies D-Rod was doing good stuff during his tenure. And he started the same way, so lets just see where this leads. Having said that, who the fuck would want a job at that company?
Comment by: Zaarin | Posted 02 Sep, 2010, 02:05 | Quote
I already quoted the statement!
Comment by: The Tingler | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 23:28 | Quote
Kroms
Sean Clark works for Big Fish games.

Also, "they don't actually kill their ex-employees did they?" takes the award for Most Confusing Grammar :) You've outdone me, Tingler.

I'M TIRED, don't pick on me!
Comment by: Shmargin | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 23:00 | Quote
Yeah, good ol LA.

One president comes in, starts doing everything to make people think Lucas Arts is doing smart things.

Then, as if Lucas Arts is some kind of President Meat Grinder, he leaves, another dipshit takes over, and this happens.

Seriously, there's no point in ever giving a shit about this company, other than they hold the legal license to our child hood joys.

Nothing that ever was Lucas Arts, ever will be again. Its just one Douche after another, figuring out better ways to fuck the whole thing up.

Maybe next they'll announce a new Maniac Mansion, then cancel it 6 months prior to completion, just to really impress everyone.
Comment by: jp-30 | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 22:22 | Quote
I'm not surprised there was less outrage at a game that hadn't even been announced being canned.
Comment by: tfarr | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 22:12 | Quote
I wish LucasArts would at least notice that they cancelled The Force Unleashed III and NO ONE CARED and compare that to the public outrage that followed the cancellation of Freelance Police.

If that's not more fuel to release more special edition adventure games and less Star Wars, I don't know what is.
Comment by: Kroms | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 21:51 | Quote
Sean Clark works for Big Fish games.

Also, "they don't actually kill their ex-employees did they?" takes the award for Most Confusing Grammar :) You've outdone me, Tingler.
Comment by: Ascovel | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 21:03 | Quote
I have a bad feeling about this...
Comment by: Scummbuddy | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 19:45 | Quote
And I was just getting used to being back on the side of the fence that loves LucasArts. Don't tell they'll screw up things and that I have to go back. Although the fan creativity spark that came from canceling Freelance Police was kinda fun.
Comment by: elTee | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 19:00 | Quote
jp-30
D-Rod did the same thing, as did Ward before him IIRC. Seems like it's the New LucasArts President precedent.

This is what I mean, in a way. It's no way to run a company, because who in the industry would really trust a LucasArts gig to last longer than the current Prez? In the old days, whilst they didn't blaze through Presidents exactly, there was still a sense that the place was managed well enough to have some kind of job security. Projects come and go, but they never over-expanded to the point of needing huge redundancies, and never turned out weak games due to understaffing.

Maybe I'm wrong about that, but still. These things should be learned, by now. Hopefully this is the end of it. I think job security, and getting to know your co-workers well enough to know how to play their strengths in a project, lends itself to a more creative atmosphere - but what do I know? Nothing.
Comment by: Capn_Nacho | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 18:01 | Quote
Fuckers. I keep wondering what all this is going to mean for Clint Hocking...

Get to it, elTee! Right those wrongs!
Comment by: jp-30 | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 17:58 | Quote
I assume this is confirmation of the formerly rumoured staff cuts?

D-Rod did the same thing, as did Ward before him IIRC. Seems like it's the New LucasArts President precedent.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/090110-lucasarts-confirms-staff.html

"LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing. LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio -- and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners -- in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."

That's better news than the rumour reports that they were pretty much shutting down external development. ToMI 2, pls?
Comment by: elTee | Posted 01 Sep, 2010, 17:42 | Quote
Oh, right. I forgot the rule.

Whenever there is good news, check once, check twice to see if it is from LucasArts. There is always a balance to the force. Make no arrangements on Wednesdays.

It's a stupid rule, but goddamnit LucasArts. They're the worst-run company I've ever come across. They're one of the few companies where the fans could do a better job. Meaning me. Me! Me. That is just damning.

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