The lights are on
Ever heard of Nanovor? Well, you'll be hearing plenty about it soon if Jordan Weisman has his way. One of the main brains behind such beloved video games as MechWarrior, Shadowrun, and Crimson Skies, in 2007 Weisman founded a new company named Smith & Tinker. Despite raising $29 million in venture capital earlier in the year and launching their first major project (the aforementioned Nanovor toy/online game), the company is now facing major layoffs.
VentureBeat reports that Smith & Tinker cut around 30% of their staff on Monday, estimated to be 15 people. The company says the layoffs are a result of aggressive staffing early in their life to prepare for their first product launch.
That first product, Nanovor, is a mix of physical toy products and online card-battling game complete with a planned multimedia franchise. Players can buy "nanoscopes" that allow them to train creatures, battle friends, or hook up to a computer for online multiplayer. Smith & Tinker has not commented on how closely the layoffs are tied to how Nanovor is selling thus far.
wow...
First off, do people actually play the toy/card/video game products that already exist? Number two, basically I just read "we hired a bunch of people at the beginning to make this project a reality, now that it's coming out I need to cut as many other people out of the deal to maximize profits." Ugh.
Does not sound like a big deal.
its actually a very fun game but the toy/game intermix is kinda annoying.
I don't like layoffs.
The whole card/video game is simply not the way to go if you want to make a game thats gonna sell. A shame they spent their time making this when they could have taken the talent they have/had to create... really anything else.
The stupid economy is once again taking its toll. Which company next?
ugh i hate hearing about gamers losing their jobs.
Will this ever end? Honestly enough with the layoffs.
Actually, it's typical Jordan Weisman. Guy's a genius (do a Google patent search or check his Wiki page), but he just can't run a company successfully for very long.
I don't play any toy/video game crossovers, but I became a diehard table top gamer when I got hooked on HeroClix and Mage Knight, both babies of his. The company that produced them, Wizkids Games, was bought by Topps in the knick of time, then killed anyway, only to be resurrected by the National Entertainment Collectables Association this past year. S&T is just running par for the course.
I never got into the online & toy combo but it's never good to hear about layoffs anywhere in the gaming industry.
sad
What about Mechwarrior?
Thats to bad. I do feel sorry for those that got layed off.
That product sounds...ludicrous to say the least
what the hell first Pandemic now this. Good luck to those staff, this is just crazy... President Obama what about the promise u made us ( I know all politicians are lairs).