Lay-offs at 2K's Mafia 2 studio

By Fred Dutton Published 1 September, 2011

40+ staff handed their P45s.

More than 40 staff members at 2K Czech, the studio behind crime epic Mafia 2, are looking for new jobs following redundancies this week.

According to a statement handed to Develop, the cuts, which represent about a quarter of the studio's total workforce, are part of a cost-cutting drive.

The publisher confirmed that 2K Czech "has realigned its resources to streamline the development process, reduce costs and maximize studio performance.

"This will result in the elimination of approximately 40 positions and primarily impact the 2K Czech studio in Brno. While this was a difficult decision, we believe it will benefit the studio in the long-term."

"Our goal to create world-class video game titles remains unchanged," a spokesperson added.

Founded as Illusion Softworks back in 1997, the studio has released two titles since being re-branded 2K Czech in 2008 - Mafia 2 in 2010 and Top Spin 4 in 2011.

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About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (19) Latest comment 9 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • monsieur_qwerty #1 9 months ago

    Should have had more Playboy and less dagos in the last game then.

  • bad09 #2 9 months ago

    Shame I love the Mafia games, really enjoyed both of them.

  • Samirnasirov #3 9 months ago

    That sucks.

  • Whooey #4 9 months ago

    2K really destroyed Illusion. Such a shame, the first Mafia was fantastic.

  • jablonski #5 9 months ago

    Whoever writes that comment about John Teti being to blame - you're a jizzmopper

  • Paul_cz #6 9 months ago

    Mafia 1 is legendary, Mafia 2 was great (although not as legendary), well I hope all talented laid off folks will get a job at Warhorse and start making some awesome RPGs.

  • CaptainKid #7 9 months ago

    No big loss. Mafia 2 was okay but nothing more. Good thing it was only 7 hours long, I don't think I would have finished the game if it was double that.

  • jonc24 #8 9 months ago

    Big shame. Loved both Mafia games. Very unique in their own way. Loved the immersion in 2 even though there wasn't much to do in the city. It had me big time when walking the streets of Empire City at the start in the snow and "Let It Snow" started playing. Thanks 2K Czech for a gaming memory I won't forget.

  • DiamondIce #9 9 months ago

    @jonc24

    I felt the exact same thing with Mafia II. That scene was one of the best I have experienced in gaming.

  • jonc24 #10 9 months ago

    @DiamondIce
    Twas amazing. A couple of other scenes like that later on got me too but I had my jaws wide open at that point.
    Edited by jonc24 at 01/09/11 @ 23:46

  • SaintDaveUK #11 9 months ago

    I never played Mafia 1, but 2K Czech made some of my favourite games of all time - Mafia 2, Hidden and Dangerous series. Such a shame.

  • Lunatic4ever #12 9 months ago

    Mafia 2 clearly backfired. It was so promising and they just didnt use the whole potential. raphics were quite good and the city was gorgeous but they didnt fill it with life. It was just a setting for the missions but we wanted so much more than that. We didnt want to drive around for what felt like FOREVER just for a two minute shootout...that was lame. I remember seeing the game for half teh price shortly after it had been released during steam summer sale ...MAN that was I odd, I'm telling ya. Got really upset because of that...

  • Daeltaja #13 9 months ago

    Where are those poor Czech developers going to find work? Not like the place is brimming with studios.

    I wish them the best of luck.

  • whoyouknow #14 9 months ago

    Shame. I think Mafia II deserved more credit than it got. It did the linear sandbox thing a hell of a lot better than Team Bondi did.

  • billy-beauts #15 9 months ago

    The 4/10 Eurogamer gave Mafia 2 is an absolute disgrace. I have since learned not to trust reviews, but that 4/10 is the reason I didn't buy Mafia 2 new and picked it up at a knocked down price. Mafia 2 is every bit as good as all the games that Eurogamer throws solid 8/10 scores at, and there was absolutely know reason to attack and discredit Mafia 2 the way Eurogamer did.

  • bad09 #16 9 months ago

    @billy-beauts

    They also gave the first 4/10 :)

    You should never trust reviews anyway but EG in particular are a joke with reviews, NEVER base your buying habits on EG reviews you'll miss so much!

  • Bennicus #17 9 months ago

    Saw this on the front page as "40+ staff handed their PS4s", reality disappoints yet again :'(

  • Pubgrundy #18 9 months ago

    Was this retribution for sullying the Mafia name with the incredibly uninspired Mafia 2? The first one is still the best game I've ever played.

  • Retro_ #19 9 months ago

    I enjoyed Mafia II, twas a good game. Sad for the job losses.