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Update: Activision Explores Options For Bizarre Creations, Potential Sale
Update: Activision has released a statement regarding the rumors: "Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business."
Now it sounds like the studio may not necessarily close, but instead might get sold off to another publisher. We're also hearing Activision's Iowa-based Budcat Studio, the team that has put out Wii and PS2 versions of Guitar Hero games, may be closing as well. More updates to come as news breaks.
[Statement via Shacknews]
Original post: The current bit of sad news circulating around the Web is that Activision has shut down Liverpool-based developer Bizarre Creations, the studio behind games like Geometry Wars, Blur, Project Gotham Racing, and most recently, James Bond 007: Blood Stone.
Activision acquired Bizarre Creations back in 2007. According to rumors, 200 studio members have been put on three-months notice. As it stands, no official statement has been released on either side. We have reached out to both parties for comment, and will update this story once we find out more. Here's hoping this rumor isn't true. If it is, our hearts go out to the talented team.
[Via Develop]
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