A rumor has just broken that Paragon Studios, the team responsible for City of Heroes, has just undergone a round of layoffs. This comes following the launch of Going Rogue, the game's second boxed expansion and center of a major re-arrangement for the game. Among those rumored to be laid off is Christopher Bruce, known to the fans of the game as Back Alley Brawler and the senior animation lead for the studio.
While there have been rumors for some time that the team had been expanding and working on an additional project, possibly a sequel to the now-venerable City of Heroes, it's unknown what long-term impacts these layoffs might have on both the existing game and any future projects. We contacted NCsoft and received official confirmation of the layoffs, but the company thus far has been unable to provide information on who, exactly, has been let go. Our condolences go out to all employees affected by the layoffs.
Reader Comments (28)
Posted: Oct 7th 2010 6:29PM CCon99 said
Never good to hear for any company.
I hope it's not true about BAB's, he did a lot of great work fixing animations and shortening some of the longer ones so the powers would work for better DPS outputs.
I hope it's not true about BAB's, he did a lot of great work fixing animations and shortening some of the longer ones so the powers would work for better DPS outputs.
Posted: Oct 7th 2010 7:17PM GaaaaaH said
Odd.
Hey guys! We released a large update but you don't work here anymore!
Hopefully the layoffs are just because they bulked up for going rogue and are slimming back down to operational level (best case).
Hey guys! We released a large update but you don't work here anymore!
Hopefully the layoffs are just because they bulked up for going rogue and are slimming back down to operational level (best case).
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 4:06PM (Unverified) said
yea, that don't make much sense we had are biggest payday now we are laying off people maybe they where temp's to began with, but what about BaB.
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Posted: Oct 7th 2010 7:18PM (Unverified) said
If BAB was one, I wonder if he said something to Marketing about the lackluster "Party Pack" booster....
Regardless, I wish those affected the best of luck finding a new employer.
Regardless, I wish those affected the best of luck finding a new employer.
Posted: Oct 7th 2010 7:38PM (Unverified) said
Wasn't BAB the one responsible for most of the upgrades that allowed powers such dual pistols?
If this is true, I bet they find themselves at Cryptic Studios next week.
If this is true, I bet they find themselves at Cryptic Studios next week.
Posted: Oct 7th 2010 8:14PM (Unverified) said
Indeed, his LinkedIn profile now lists him as a Senior Animator/VFX at Cryptic Studios.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-bruce/3/157/465
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http://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-bruce/3/157/465
Posted: Oct 7th 2010 10:07PM Sam not Spam said
Nice find. I personally imagine that the Paragon Studios and Cryptic folks are all on good terms with each other still, so that would be like a homecoming for him. Likewise, I could certainly see some folks' theory that BABs was wanting to move on to something new - with Neverwinter Nights in development I would imagine that'd be a good opportunity for him. Of course, I'm sure the STO and CO teams (both full of former COH staffers) would welcome him with open arms.
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Posted: Oct 8th 2010 12:36AM (Unverified) said
Since my last post, he has updated his status to: Artist/Animator in the Game Industry (Currently Seeking Employment)
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Posted: Oct 8th 2010 12:34AM Misanthrope said
It's pretty common procedure for game companies to hire more people when they're working on a big game or expansion and fire them after it launches, a lot of these people are effectively temp workers.
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 3:48AM Misanthrope said
Oh, don't get me wrong, a major developer being axed isn't standard operating procedure by any means... but AFAIK, it's just rumored he's been laid off. But "Joe the Texture Artist" and "Jimmy QA tester", well, there's no real reason to keep them on payroll when you're just churning out (comparatively) small content patches.
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 4:16AM Monitor2112 said
Sorry to hear about anyone losing their job.
I just got done trying a little of CoH after a 2.5 year lay off since this is the reactivation weekend.
I remember why I left. The game itself is just not fun, IMO. I spent over 2 years playing it, and never got above level 39 on any character simply because I never really had fun PLAYING the game....I had fun creating characters and playing with the creator.
I just recently started playing CO, and I have to admit that I enjoy playing that game. I just wish they had as much content as CoH has.
Ah well...I am looking forward to DCUO more than either of them anyway.
I just got done trying a little of CoH after a 2.5 year lay off since this is the reactivation weekend.
I remember why I left. The game itself is just not fun, IMO. I spent over 2 years playing it, and never got above level 39 on any character simply because I never really had fun PLAYING the game....I had fun creating characters and playing with the creator.
I just recently started playing CO, and I have to admit that I enjoy playing that game. I just wish they had as much content as CoH has.
Ah well...I am looking forward to DCUO more than either of them anyway.
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 5:57AM (Unverified) said
Sympathy for the layoffs now, bash game later.
Honestly. Some people.
Reply
Honestly. Some people.
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 7:19AM BubleFett said
Well these talented people better get GDC austin ASAP to find a job.
I heard Blizzard is still hiring.
http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/directory.html#region=Americas
I heard Blizzard is still hiring.
http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/directory.html#region=Americas
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 11:28AM Snorii said
That sucks to hear they have been laid off. Babs was great at communicating with us, he'll definitely be missed.
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 11:43AM Nolinquisitor said
That suck...
Posted: Oct 8th 2010 12:22PM Anatidae said
Sad. I would gather that the expansion didn't sell as well as they would have liked and they reduced the team accordingly.
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