Starhawk dev Lightbox confirms layoffs, shifting focus to iOS

Starhawk developer Lightbox Interactive has confirmed layoffs affecting two dozen employees, with the studio also revealing plans to shift away from console development entirely.

Company president Dylan Jobe confirmed the news to GameInformer, adding that all of the employees were notified in advance and given severance packages.

Jobe went on to explain the layoffs were due to Lightbox’s move away from traditional console development. The plan going forward is to self-fund the studio’s next title for release on iOS.

Why the lay-offs? Well, as you know the industry is changing. We are moving away from traditional console development to self-fund the development of our next game on Apple’s iOS devices.”

The multi-title contract Lightbox had with Sony is apparently no longer valid, as the two parties have gone their separate ways.

Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that it has amicably ended its working agreement with developer LightBox Interactive, Inc. We have had a positive and long-standing working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavor. Starhawk and Warhawk will continue to be supported by Santa Monica Studio,” a Sony spokesperson stated.

Santa Monica Studio and Sony Computer Entertainment are fantastic people and great to work with. We have had, and will continue to have, a great relationship with everyone over there and I have no doubt that they’ll continue to bring the kick-ass games – and hardware – to gamers everywhere,” Jobe added.