THQ have this morning announced that they’re closing two Australian development studios.
In what the publisher is calling a ‘strategic realigment’ of its dev teams away from ‘licensed kids titles and movie-based entertainment properties’, both THQ Brisbane and Blue Tongue have been closed.
THQ have also decided not to ‘actively pursue’ further MX vs. ATV games. The closures will result in the loss of 200 jobs.
“With this realignment, we are narrowing our focus to high-quality owned IP with broad appeal that can be leveraged across multiple platforms, and to work with the best talent in the industry,” said Brian Farrell, President and CEO, THQ.
“As we have outlined in our business strategies, we are making shifts to reduce movie-based and licensed kids’ video games in our portfolio, which underscores our strategy to move away from games that will not generate strong profits in the future.”
The remaining five studios are THQ Montreal (unannounced new IP), Volition (Saints Row The Third), Relic (Space Marine), Vigil (Darksiders II) and THQ San Diego (WWE All Stars).
BryOnRye
‘licensed kits titles’
Kovacs
I checked the source, it’s “kids”. Obviously.
Sympozium Pawa
The MX vs ATV games haven’t been all that great this gen as I’m aware, although never liked the series… it was gonna happen sadly.
Kennykazey
So Toy HeadQuarters is moving away from “kids titles”? Interesting.
Smallville2106
Makes sense I suppose. Hope the people losing jobs get sorted quickly though.
TSBonyman
I always found the MX vs. ATV games to be a bit poor tbh, shame about the studios being shut down all the same. Hopefully new beginnings for the people involved.
Joe
RIP
Crocadillian
I gasped when I saw this. de Blob was great, and I don’t see why the business can’t focus the development studios affected into creating the kinds of games THQ are focusing on.
Although less movie games will make the world a better place, I don’t think Blue Tongue deserved to go :(.