Blue Tongue Entertainment and THQ Studio Australia are no more. THQ Studio Phoenix meanwhile ends game making but stays open for quality assurance.
”THQ is in the process of transitioning its portfolio away from licensed kids titles and movie-based entertainment properties for consoles and has also decided not to actively pursue further development of the MX vs. ATV franchise at this time,” said a press release.
“As a result, the company announced the closure of two studios in Australia, and the elimination of a development team at the company’s Phoenix location. The company is maintaining its Quality Assurance team in Phoenix.”
Blue Tongue Entertainment developed de Blob 2 while THQ Studio Australia was behind titles like Megamind and Avatar: The Last Airbender. THQ Studio Phoenix meanwhile was the driving force behind MX vs. ATV which joins the Red Faction series in slumber.
”With this realignment, we are narrowing our focus to high-quality owned IP with broad appeal that can be leveraged across multiple platforms, and to work with the best talent in the industry,” said THQ CEO Brian Farrell. In other words they’re dropping dead weight.
200 employees are getting dropped from the roster although they will be eligible to apply for new positions within the company if they so choose.
“By right-sizing our internal development capacities for our console portfolio, our five internal studios are focused on delivering high-quality games with talented teams driving the execution of those titles to market.”
“As we have outlined in our business strategies, we are making shifts to reduce movie-based and licensed kids’ video games in our portfolio, which underscores our strategy to move away from games that will not generate strong profits in the future.”
“We will continue to evaluate our capital and resources to concentrate on fast growing digital business initiatives such as social games, mobile and tablet-based digital entertainment.” THQ Montreal is their latest studio venture helmed by ex-Ubi man Patrice Désilets.
Volition Inc. no longer handles the Red Faction IP as THQ put it to bed for failing to draw in large enough numbers. The studio will be sticking with Saints Row and Hollywood director Guillermo del Toro’s inSANE franchise.
In June THQ said Homefront’s Kaos Studios and THQ Digital Warrington would close.
