Microsoft Announces Lionhead/Press Play Closures!

It looks like the gaming industry is in for another bad month. Not in terms of video game sales, as I’m sure The Division will top the charts. No, I mean when it comes to layoffs and studio closures, there’s more bad news to share.

Microsoft Studios recently announced that they are closing multiple development studios. This was done via their blog; Hanno Lemke, General Manager of Microsoft Studios Europe, explained how they would be ending projects in the UK and Denmark. One of the projects in question is Lionhead Studio’s Fable Legends.

The wording on the blog is a little vague – they are in discussions with employees about the proposed closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK.  Maybe it’s a nice way of saying that “we’re giving them a heads up about the impending closure”? I mean, it wasn’t that long ago that I got an update for Fable Legends on my Xbox One. Where they aware that things weren’t looking too good (to MS at least)? The other studio named, Press Play, wasn’t given the benefit of the doubt. The Curse of Brotherhood developer will be closing soon. Hanno did go on to say that the closings aren’t a reflection on the teams themselves but more so, on a shift in their investments. They want to focus on the bigger franchises; ones that fans are most excited to play.

The good news, if you can call it so, is that Microsoft isn’t just leaving those affected hanging. After expressing their commitment to development communities abroad, Hanno went on to say, “We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.” Here’s hoping everyone at Lionhead and Press Play can land new jobs as soon as possible!