Job losses hit Firaxis
Over 20 layoffs confirmed as 2K "streamlines" venerable Civilization developer to reduce costs
Around 20 staff members have been let go from 2K studio Firaxis, the publisher confirmed today.
Rumours of the lay-offs were unearthed by gaming blog Kotaku, and were later verified by 2K global PR director Markus Wilding.
"I can confirm that Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process, reduce costs and maximize the overall performance the studio," Wilding told Kotaku.
"This will result in the elimination of approximately 20 positions. These reductions will not impact Firaxis' ability to create and deliver AAA titles, including its forthcoming Sid Meier's Civilization V and Sid Meier's Civilization Network for Facebook."
Civilization V is still approximately three months from release, suggesting that the job losses do not constitute routine down-sizing following the completion of a development project.
Kotaku's sources claim the affected positions include members of the quality assurance team, the user interface art team, animators, programmers and designers.
Variety has clarified that Sid Meier himself, the co-creator of Firaxis' best-known IP Civilization, unsurprisingly retains his role at the studio.