Reports are claiming that Funcom, the Norwegian outfit behind online titles such as Age of Conan and Bloodline Champions, has resorted to laying off staff in a bid to cut operation costs. Funcom’s latest release, the EA-published supernatural/horror-themed MMO, The Secret World (our review), failed to meet expected sales figures and garnered a warm yet unenthusiastic critical reception.
A statement issued by the game studio announced that this latest string of industry lay-offs are only temporary, though Funcom has yet to confirm just how many employees have been left off the hook during this time. Either way the Director of Communcation, Erling Ellingsen, insists that The Secret World will continue to operate under its current subscription-based business model.
This may come as somewhat of a surprise to some. A little more than eight months ago EA and BioWare were banking on Star Wars: The Old Republic to kick-start a new wave of premium MMORPGs without much success. Following a number of permanent lay-offs, the game will soon be transitioning to a fully free-to-play model.
No doubt Funcom has something similar in mind for The Secret World. However, at almost two months old, such an early transfer would do little for the developer’s integrity, not to mention the irritation of users who have already forked out for subscription bundles.
Source: Massively
hazelam
they could still do a combination of free to play and sub, like The Old Republic.
with rewards for subscribers.
that seems to be a pretty successful way of doing things.
worked out well for DCU online.