THQ to lay off 79 at Vigil Games

THQ has announced 79 layoffs to take place next month at the Austin, Texas studio Vigil Games.

Vigil is currently working on Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium, which was originally announced as an MMO.

That is about to change.

“As previously announced, we have been actively looking for a business partner for the game as an MMO," Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ, told the Statesman.

"However, based on changing market dynamics and the additional investment required to complete the game as an MMO, we believe the right direction for us is to shift the title from an MMO to a premium experience with single and multiplayer gameplay, robust digital content and community features.”

“Because we believe strongly in the high-quality and vast creative work that is in production, this is the right decision for both our portfolio and for gamers devoted to this powerful property.”

Vigil is also working on Darksiders II, which is slated for release this summer.

No date has been announced for Warhammer.