THQ to cut 250 development jobs

US publisher THQ has followed the recent news of studio closures with confirmation that it is to cut 250 jobs following losses of $115.3 million for the three months ending September 30th.

The news follows earlier reports of significant job losses at Warrington-based Juice games and claims of further studio closures.

The company promised a “significant business realignment” as a result, including the loss of 250 development jobs. A statement from the firm reads: “As part of this realignment, THQ plans to focus on fewer, higher quality titles, and to align its organisation and cost structure accordingly.

“The company is in the process of implementing its plan with the cancellation of several titles that were in development but had not been publicly announced, the closure of five studios and a reduction in product development personnel of approximately 250 people, or 17 percent of its studio staff, and the streamlining of its corporate organization to support the new product strategy.”

THQ has pledged to reduce its fiscal 2010 forecasted product development spending by about $100 million. It also intends to cut its marketing and administration expenses by around $20 million.

“We have made substantial progress in improving product quality and innovation, as evidenced by recent shipments of several well-reviewed games including De Blob and Saints Row 2,” THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell stated.

“We are aligning our business to be more competitive in key consumer segments and address the current business environment. We expect the combination of a much more focused and competitive product line with a more efficient cost structure to put THQ back on the path to growth and profitability in fiscal year 2010.”