Ignition layoffs spread to MMO studio

Further development staff have lost their jobs at the hands of UTV Ignition, as the publisher continues its plan to axe internal teams.

Next in line is Austin-based True Games, the creators of MMO Faxion Online. In a statement Ignition claimed that a “fraction” of the studio’s workforce had been issued redundancies.

Yet an alleged anonymous studio insider told Gamasutra that the majority of staff at True Games will go. “The studio’s platform team, its customer service and all but one quality assurance staff will go,” the source was paraphrased as saying.

The latest rumour has yet to be substantiated. Ignition has made clear its long-term intention to move away from internal game development.

That plan has already resulted in the closure of Ignition’s London development studio, along with its Florida studio. Sources, likely from separate divisions within the company, have told Develop and Gamasutra that the group’s Japan studio will close next.

Around 150 developers have lost their jobs in the last twelve months.