Funcom lays off American staff

By Games Industry.biz Published 25 November, 2008

Age of Conan developer tightens belt.

Age of Conan developer Funcom has confirmed it has made some redundancies in the US, but has not specified exactly how many staff have been affected, reports GamesIndustry.biz.

A report over the weekend on MMO site Ten Ton Hammer suggested that testing and customer services positions were axed, accounting for 70 per cent of the workforce.

"We did have some staffing cuts at Funcom this week as well as new positions opening in the organisation as part of our ongoing cost based efficiency and performance initiatives that are vital to any business," Funcom told the site.

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures launched earlier this year, but after impressive early sales, it has struggled to retain subscribers amidst complaints about the game being unfinished.

All eyes will now be on Funcom's next MMO, the contemporary horror-fantasy, The Secret World. The game hasn't been seen since its announcement last year.

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Comments (24) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Darkjinxter #1 3 years ago

    Aw naw!
    best not renew after my pre-paid sub expires in January then. Perhaps Funcom will start again with a blank slate.
    Edited by 1 at 25/11/08 @ 10:33

  • Turambar #2 3 years ago

    Wait. Weren't all the support staff american?

  • iokthemonkey #3 3 years ago

    Much as I thought Conan was shit, it's never good to see people lose their jobs. Typically though, they've tried to run before they could walk. Instead of concentrating on keeping their existing players happy by concentrating on AoC, they've effectively "taken the money and run" when it comes to that game, with the original team now working on their new MMO, which doesn't bode well for the future of that title or AoC. I mean, they "finish" a game, release it full of bugs, dump it onto an inexperienced live team then rush off to work on a new game when they can't even get AoC running properly?

    Bad business management.

  • Roxette #4 3 years ago

    I think, because of the crisis, all paid MMO games are suffering. People seem to cut expenses first on those kind of things. No wonder that MMO games are disappearing or have to cut expenses themselves. Its not only Ncsoft or Funcom, but others as well. From what I heard from people who sell games in shops, the selling figures of MMO games are dropping very fast, WoLtK included. When I spoke to a shop owner he told me that, when Burning Crusade was launched, they sold about 300 copies in 2 weeks time. To compare. He sold WoLtK only about a 40 times in the same 2 weeks.
    I have the feeling that free MMO games have the future, especially during crisis periods

  • Pirotic #5 3 years ago

    Wait, they had support staff?

  • Jonathan_Fakenham #6 3 years ago

    I have the feeling that free MMO games have the future, especially during crisis periods
    And that makes it nice to know that Funcom is working on two additional web/java based MMO's. It's safe to say my Funcom stocks have plummeted, but I might just earn my money back after all..

  • Farfarer #7 3 years ago

    This better not affect Dreamfall Episodes...

  • warlockuk #8 3 years ago

    They're already on another MMO? Aren't they going to finish making Conan first?

  • iokthemonkey #9 3 years ago

    I think, because of the crisis, all paid MMO games are suffering.

    ----

    Not all of them, only the second-rate ones. People who've invested a lot of time in a game are reticent to cancel it if they're still playing it. The reason NCSoft and Funcom are in trouble is because they both launched games that failed to retain subscribers. Tabula Rasa sold virtually nothing and AoC's player-base dropped to about 1/4 of original uptake, possibly even less, as the upcoming server merge shows.

    The quality games will continue to not only sustain their playerbase but also grow. Entertainment booms during recession periods and in terms of value for money, an MMO subscription is much better than a TV subscription or video rental cost. If people are staying home more, they play more games. These woes for NCSoft and Funcom are about the quality of their product.

  • iokthemonkey #10 3 years ago

    They're already on another MMO? Aren't they going to finish making Conan first?

    ---

    No need to. Conan works perfectly and is bursting at the seams with fully-finalised, perfectly-balanced, exicting and dynamic, bug-free content.

    Apparently.

  • Apologie #11 3 years ago

    seriously, if they havent accomplished they'r goals in the beginnibg now with woflk and War, AOc dont stand a chance... well, too bad they released a defective produc.

  • michaelius #12 3 years ago

    Well actualy if that team were testing AoC then they deserve to be fired :)

  • 1simen1 #13 3 years ago

    Hmmm let's see a new new story regarding FUNCOM and AOC, and wouldn't you know. Monkeycrybaby is at it again.

    News story says : "Age of Conan developer Funcom has confirmed it has made some redundancies in the US, but has not specified exactly how many staff have been affected, reports GamesIndustry.biz.

    A report over the weekend on MMO site Ten Ton Hammer suggested that testing and customer services positions were axed, accounting for 70 per cent of the workforce."

    Monkeyrude concludes : "Instead of concentrating on keeping their existing players happy by concentrating on AoC, they've effectively "taken the money and run" when it comes to that game, with the original team now working on their new MMO, which doesn't bode well for the future of that title or AoC. I mean, they "finish" a game, release it full of bugs, dump it onto an inexperienced live team then rush off to work on a new game when they can't even get AoC running properly?"

    How he came to that conclusion based upon this news story is beyond me.....

    On a sidenote,i do believe No_biggie was onto something a few days ago in another thread. He wrote :

    "Monkeyboy is probably just the same loonatic that MMORPG IP banned like 3-4 weeks back. A guy with like +30 posting profiles, had this insane campaign going on against Funcom. Probably paid by Mythic or some other shady company. Well what happened was, when this guy got IP banned we just saw an emediate change in the forum. We realized people had tons of positive stuff to say about AoC.... I think this guys is just the same...One of the profiles of a mass-hater. Clueless idiot posting on the wrong game."

    Someone please check his IP and see if we are dealing with a monkey with multiple personality disorder.........;-)
    Edited by 1 at 25/11/08 @ 20:10

  • iokthemonkey #14 3 years ago

    And here's a surprise. I lament the losses of some jobs, point out - along with others - the reason (i.e. the failure of AoC to deliver on its promise), along with those of another developer (who released a similarly under-performing title) and all you do is ride my nuts about AoC.

    Come on then, you explain it, brightboy. How else would you summarise what's happened? Funcom stock has plummeted. AoC's subscriptions are way down. The game still isn't finished. The Funcom developers who worked on AoC are now working on another title. ALL FACTS.

    Put them together and explain it, if you can.

    No, you can't. Because there IS no other scenario that fits the FACTS, no matter what spin your masters at Funcom are paying you to push. I presume you're getting paid, anyway, as otherwise why would you make such a tool of yourself on such a regular basis?

    Idiot.
    Edited by 1 at 25/11/08 @ 21:59

  • 1simen1 #15 3 years ago

    Monkey Monkey Monkey. As usuall you consider your opinion to be fact...

    You are just full of BS.

    Anyone wanting to find out how Funcom is really doing go here:

    [link url=http://www.funcom.com/funcom/fron tend/files/CONTENT/Funcom_Q308_report_2912.pdf
    ]http://ww w.funcom.com/funcom/frontend/fi...[/link]

    They are nowhere near financial trouble. Actually they are doing quite ok.

    If you want to find out what is coming next go here and read the latest letter from the game director from nov. 14'th:

    [link url=http://forums-eu.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=101127
    ]    http://fo rums-eu.ageofconan.com/showthre...[/link]

    Does that sound like they are pulling the plug?

    There are two different teams working on AOC and Secret World. Has been like this from the start and will be like that for a long time still. FUNCOM also develop other games and have seperate teams for them aswell.

    If you havent noticed, but giving your intelligense level in this debate i take it you haven't, the economy is in resession world wide. Stock are down, way down all over the line wether a company is solid or not. If you bother to read Funcom's quarterly you will see that they have 200 mill nok in the bank. Not exactely broke.....

    The only tool here is you, and. Aleast do some research before writing. This is getting kind a pathetic.......

    To finish off let me quote No_biggie again :

    "Monkeyboy is probably just the same loonatic that MMORPG IP banned like 3-4 weeks back. A guy with like +30 posting profiles, had this insane campaign going on against Funcom. Probably paid by Mythic or some other shady company. Well what happened was, when this guy got IP banned we just saw an emediate change in the forum. We realized people had tons of positive stuff to say about AoC.... I think this guys is just the same...One of the profiles of a mass-hater. Clueless idiot posting on the wrong game."

    I rest my case...until the next time ;-)


  • iokthemonkey #16 3 years ago

    Funcom stocks have tumbled. So too have those of a few other companies (such as Midway) but the majority of companies are actually doing rather well. But yeah, seeing as you think AoC is "good" of course you think having your stock price drop so badly is "doing well" too...

    There are two different teams working on AOC and Secret World. Has been like this from the start and will be like that for a long time still. FUNCOM also develop other games and have seperate teams for them aswell.

    No, AoC has been handed over to the "Live" team, a different set of chaps.

    "Monkeyboy is probably just the same loonatic that MMORPG IP banned like 3-4 weeks back.

    No, I'll tell you who I am: I'm a guy who bought this piece of shit and is now £80-odd down because of it. So yeah, I have a vested interest in WARNING other people so they don't make the same mistake as MANY, MANY people did of buying a game that's a bug-ridden pile of balls I'll put my hand up and say, yes, I have a vested interest in commenting on this game. But you, on the other hand, are the shifty one here. You claimed to have AoC in your game collection a while ago but when challenged about it, it mysteriously vanished. Then you said you hoped to play the game soon. All you ever post are links to the Funcom site or Official Forums. You dispute comments questioning the game yet when I make a point about YOU ACTUALLY PLAYING THE GAME your command of the English language suddenly falters and you "misunderstand" my point. Now, I asked if you were speaking English as a second language and if you are, fine. English is an odd language for a non-native and I'm happy to explain matters further if it's unclear. Yet you claim no language barrier exists. So that only leaves two options: either you lack the most basic level of comprehension or you're working to an agenda. So come on, what's YOUR interest in AoC? Don't give me that "I hate negativity" BS. Come on, spit it out...

  • 1simen1 #17 3 years ago

    Monkeydude :

    I listed the game as owned by mistake. Thought i had listed it as interested in. When confronted by that mistake i removed it from "owned" status.

    I was originally planing on buying the game this autum but work has gotten in the way. So it will probably be sometime in 2009 ,if i find the time that is.

    I understand everything you write perfectly. I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU. Your problem is accepting that others might have a different opinion than yours.

    You make a point of the fact that i don't play the game. Well neither do you. Granted you played for awhile (level 30 something by your own words), but so much has happend content and polishwise since you left that your opinion is becomeing obselite fast.

    I use the official forums because the opinions there are opinions by existing players still playing the game. They give harsh critique on matters not to their likeing like: bugs and gameplay elements, however they also give praise and tell you what is good about the game.

    The official forums give a balanced view on all things AOC. You do not, your onesidedness is unmatched in these forums. So i take it upon me to offer other opinions about the game than yours.

    The simple solution is often the correct one, so you are spot on on one thing and one thing only and thats when you say :

    "Don't give me that "I hate negativity" BS "

    That's the only reason why i bother. I'm tired of guys like you going on everlasting crusades because they bougth a game and didn't like it. Get over it and move on. As soon as you do i will stop responding to your highly biased anti AOC rants.....

    But i take it there is more bile in ya, so until the next time.....;-)

  • iokthemonkey #18 3 years ago

    No, no more bile. You seem to think I actually care what you say. I'm merely pointing out you're wrong and that you - for whatever reason - enjoy riding my nuts over my comments, whilst ignoring the other negative comments from equally pissed-off former players. That's sweet of you, but really, I've told you before, I'm taken, thanks.

    But you go right ahead and pick up your copy of AoC in 2009. Just be quick though, as it's not going to be around for much longer...

  • 1simen1 #19 3 years ago

    Monkeychubby, i told you before, you are not my type of monkey. The fact that people argue with you on the internett doesn't mean that they are interested in you sexually.

    Sorry to dissapoint , i though that was commen knowlage....

    I told you before and i'll tell you again. AS LONG AS YOU KEEP DISSING AOC IN EVERY NEWS STORY ON EUROGAMER, I WILL KEEP RESPONDING TELLING ANOTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.....Oh and i'm stubborn:-)

    You bring negativity i bring positivity. That my furry fo is ....Balance.

    Until the next time....

  • Darkjinxter #20 3 years ago

    It's a joy looking back into an article's comments to find some valid points have been made in your absence. 1simen1 supports AoC like wot I do. I play the game because I enjoy it, there are enough features in there to keep the RE Howard fan happy for a long time to come. I'm subbed until January, but, as Jonathon Ross woud say 'The cwedit cwunch is gwipping us all, players and the industwy alike'
    To that end I'll not be re-subbing until my current sub expires just in case AoC closes like wot Tabula Rasa is doing.

    I do accept TR has a different set of problems than AoC, but paying userbase is a common factor.

    I suggest Mr. Monkey that you seek out a darkened room and have a lie down for a while, leave out the AoC commenting for a while it's becoming monotonous.

  • iokthemonkey #21 3 years ago

    I suggest Mr. Monkey that you seek out a darkened room and have a lie down for a while, leave out the AoC commenting for a while it's becoming monotonous.

    ----

    And I suggest you fuck right off. :D

  • 1simen1 #22 3 years ago

    Polite as always aren't you Monkeychild......lol

  • Roxette #23 3 years ago

    Maybe they can start a Russian staff. Conan seems to be full with Russians these days. Anyway, the last 2 weeks Conan was quite silent. But this weekend a lot of people returned to Conan so it seems. Thats the good news!!!! Maybe they already had enough of WotLK

  • iokthemonkey #24 3 years ago

    Get out and try to get to the bottom why you seemingly hate AoC to the point where you actually are willing to waste hours and hours on your bullshit.

    ----

    Hours and hours? Hardly. I think you'll find more of my time is occupied reading the lengthy, ill-informed replies my posts garner. You like Aoc? Good for you.

    Personally, I'm still angry that Funcom robbed me of 80-odd quid by selling me an incomplete pile of shit. Although if you read my comment above, you'll see I'm commenting on their bad business practices, not the quality of their "games."

    But hey, you don't like what I say? Fine. Stick me on ignore.