Wolfenstein MP team axed on release day

By Games Industry.biz Published 18 August, 2009

Endrant Studios cut back.

On the same day that Activision releases its latest title in the Wolfenstein franchise, our sister site GamesIndustry.biz can confirm that a number of the team responsible for the multiplayer portion of the game have been laid off.

UK based Endrant Studios had been co-developing Wolfenstein with Raven Software, and it was the first title by the team since forming in July 2008.

"We have recently completed a development cycle and have regrettably been forced to make adjustments to staff and headcounts," said a spokesperson for the studio.

"Those affected are valued members of our team who have worked incredibly hard on our latest title. We hope that they land on their feet quickly."

The spokesperson could not specify the exact number of redundancies at the 17-man team due to ongoing efforts to secure other work.

Wolfenstein for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is released today in North America, and on Friday in Europe.

Picture of Games.

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Comments (31) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • Salaman #1 3 years ago

    It must be so bad they're covering their asses.
    Once the inevitable internet "it's shit" backlash comes, they can say "yeah, we're sorry but we fired the fuckers that are responsible."
    =)


    Euh .. on a serious note. Sucks. :-(
    You work your ass off and as soon as you're done you're sent packing?
    Harsh.

  • Eraysor #2 3 years ago

    Bad omen methinks.

  • Artemus #3 3 years ago

    Doesn't bode well for multiplayer support now does it.

  • Xerx3s #4 3 years ago

    Talk about getting kicked in the teeth as a reward for your hard work.

  • BabyJesus #5 3 years ago

    Wow, harsh.

  • coolbritannia #6 3 years ago

    I won't be buying this, i doubt it'll be supported by the devs after launch.

  • the_dudefather #7 3 years ago

    I want to like this game, but no reviews is a bit worrying (although the same happened for prototype I think, reviews didn't actually come out until after it's US release, and it turned out ok)

    any word on review embargos?

  • ChaK #8 3 years ago

    Game is on it's way. Can't way to try it out. And if it's not good..well...i'll just sell it :o

  • AphoticCosmos #9 3 years ago

    BAM!

  • Vortex808 #10 3 years ago

    Man, that must be a kick in the plums. Like getting fired a week before xmas. Bit worried about the quality of the game now, it's too late now though, my pre-order's being despatched soon. Hope it's ok, as RTCW was great fun.

    Activision really are turning into the nastiest, most hateful company these days though.

  • smelly #11 3 years ago

    Well not totally unexpected - considering activision now own demonware who specialise in online stuff..

    Doesnt make a lot of sense having 2 teams doing the same thing

    But i hate activision.. so screw them! Evil cnuts

  • BillyBrush #12 3 years ago

    Shame...the MP part of wolfenstein looks extremely pared down though from what i've seen...doubt this is a game you'd buy for MP

  • Golgo #13 3 years ago

    @vortex and smelly: Activision didn't sack them FFS.

  • BlueDot #14 3 years ago

    Gits. Remind me of the time I worked my ass off for 6 months to cover for an absent manager. Then the software was released, on time on the day at 12pm, by 2pm I was made redundant. Of course the manger still had his job.

  • costa_k #15 3 years ago

    I've played the multiplayer on the 360 and believe me,it's terrible.It was a big mistake to trust the development of such a historic title in people with no experience whatsoever.
    The capmaign (developed by Raven),though by no means briliant,is a perfectly competent game.

  • davisorle #16 3 years ago

    That's fucked up to be fired before you even take a freaking breath being done on such a big tittle. This is prety messed up if you ask me being fired just like that on literally day one... buttholes

  • JahB #17 3 years ago

    crunch and then no bonus... quite harsh

  • GrandpaUlrira #18 3 years ago

    And the industry wonders why it struggles to attract the best people.

    I hope those guys do find something quickly, as that is a shit way to be rewarded for your hard work on the title.

  • Fab4 #19 3 years ago

    They should reapply:

    [link url=http://endrantstud ios.com/careers/
    ]http://endrantstud ios.com/careers/
    [/link]

    That or apply for the website administrator's job, as he's clearly just sitting on his backside, picking his nose.

  • E-Raz0r #20 3 years ago

    I feel ripped off right now. My copy arrived today.

  • MrSpew #21 3 years ago

    Why are people surprised or annoyed this has happened? They've completed the work they were employed to do - if there's nothing else to work on in the meantime why keep employing them? That's business, folks.

  • penhalion #22 3 years ago

    @MrSpew

    That's bad business mate. It costs a frak tonne of money to tax, train and integrate a new employee. If you constantly get rid of them after projects, then eventually the only people willing to work for you will be very expensive contractors.

  • makilgore06 #23 3 years ago

    This is the WORST multiplayer game I've ever installed. I paid US$50 for this? What the fuck were they thinking... The Wolf community was gasping for breath on its last leg and they effectively put a stake in its heart. WHAT THE FUCK WERE THEY THINKING? Did nobody on the dev team play RTCW? It was one of the more perfect FPS titles out there. And now this. I'm embarrassed to say how excited I was for this, I want to fucking strangle somebody now.
    Edited by 1 at 19/08/09 @ 00:15

  • Trikk #24 3 years ago

    Bad game developers fired after releasing bad game.

  • JensonJet #25 3 years ago

    Anyone who's playing this, let us know what you think of the single player game. Not that I would buy this in million years. Adversarial multiplayer will be dead within a month, and with what's coming soon (no, not just MW2, but many others too) this is barely worth a rent.. so the question is.. worth renting, or save my money and buy a few chocolate bars/box of teabags/extra couple of pints next time I'm at the pub?

  • DarkEnder #26 3 years ago

    DON'T BOTHER!!! What a let down!!
    I don't think I've ever regretted spending $50 as much as I do right now! I played RTCW for years and this is just garbage! I can't even get into the multiplayer and I'm not holding my breath for them to fix it. Maybe I can get my money back....

    Maltigore I feel ya.

    RTCW will just be a fond memory for me i suppose.
    Edited by 1 at 19/08/09 @ 03:03

  • stepneg #27 3 years ago

    I have been really looking forward to this but every time I see an article about it it's bad news, when is the review coming?

  • kinky_mong #28 3 years ago

    Let this be a lesson to all companies working for Activision, put a massive game ruining bug in your game that is easily patchable. If the cunts pull this sort of shit on you, don't make the patch available.

  • itsfuzzy #29 3 years ago

    They will let them go. And then maybe re hire some of them for support on much lower wages and no bonuses.

  • itsfuzzy #30 3 years ago

    @ Darkender and Maltigore

    Are you guys serious? Is it that bad. What is it comparable to in terms of other games that were released?

  • muscleblade #31 3 years ago

    This game has 6/10 written all over it imo.