Sad to hear this happen to such a great place. My heart goes out to those affected. It's tough to go through this. Best of luck to all my friends up there.

Chill out people. They're just between projects.

Again, if working under a core team/outsourcing model, this would just be that contracts of outsourcers coming to an end. If these laid-off people were smart, they would form into their own outsourcing companies and only work again with Radical as contracted entities. Take control of your own destiny.

Remember: gamedev is NOT a business software development industry. It is an entertainment industry. You're not cranking out constant output. Projects end, but new ones begin.

Whether outsourced or employed, it's never nice to have a job you were on suddenly get canceled. Whether outsourced or employed, people develop expectations of what the future holds. Whether outsourced or employed, a number of people have been placed into a financial situation they may not be fully prepared for. Whether outsourced or employed, you could perhaps spare *some* concern for them en route to your next post on transforming the games-creation industry.

You're right. It's not nice. That's why you should own your own ship. Control your own fate. Work as an outsourced contractor.

I have concern. That's why I say become a contractor. Stop hoping that some big studio is going to look out for your retirement or whatever. They aren't.

This is an entertainment industry. It's not something as stable and secure as manufacturing or the financial services sector. It's entertainment.

I should also add, you might consider starting a union or guild.

And form your close colleagues into contract companies that have a solid focus. Then get out and get gigs.

Grassroots makes a good point-

While it's a bummer to be laid off- it's only a bummer because they hire folks with this pretense that they're there permanently- I think that's the problem. When Indiana Jones 4 wrapped, did we see any news clips that 200 people were let go? Nope, they all knew as soon as they started on it that it'll be over when the movie wraps, and they need to find another project. So they were able to secure the next year's work while doing that gig.

The reality is that in gamedev it's the same deal- the game sucks/is done, so you are fired. Except it's not out in the open- I don't think it's good for studios or people. It makes it that much harder to find jobs, since the studios like to 'can people with basically no advance notice, in the middle of production.

Moooooooooooo

Game dev employees are like cattle these days, herded along when days are sunny and then sent to the slaughterhouse when stormy weather comes. No matter how we despise that we better get used to it.

The best counterstrategy for being treated like cattle is to act like a sports Free Agent; keep your ear to the ground and be ready to jump ship when a great opportunity arises no matter where you are at in your current project. Like many of my veteran colleague I always keep my resume up to date and my eye out for new opportunities even when in the midst of a cool and seemingly secure project.

I am quite confused as to how Activision felt Scarface was a money losing proposal when the first version sold over 3M units and recouped costs 4 or 5 times over.