Activision sheds staff as Budcat closes doors

Around seventy workers have been made redundant at Budcat Creations, the Iowa-based studio that was purchased by Activision just 24 months ago and yesterday closed at the publisher’s request.

On Tuesday Activision sent security guards and two consultants to Budcat’s offices to inform staff they had been let go, according to sources speaking to PC Gamer. Redundancy packages have been described as generous.

“Budcat has been a great partner to Activision and has created a lasting impact on the Guitar Hero franchise,” read a prepared statement from Activision.

The publisher is also shedding quality assurance roles at its California base.

It said that 88 workers are affected by the US cuts. In the UK, as many as 200 staff are in the firing line with Activision considering the sale or closure of Liverpool-based Bizarre creations.

“Budcat has been a great partner to Activision and has created a lasting impact on the Guitar Hero franchise,” the publisher added.

“We are working to redirect affected employees to other parts of the company where possible,” Activision added, “as well as offering outplacement counselling services”.