Additional layoffs strike THQ
Posted on January 27, 2012
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Organizational shift leads to second round of layoffs in as many months at California-based publisher; five internal studios unaffected.
The effects of THQ's decision to stop making children's games are already being felt. THQ has confirmed layoffs in the publisher's administration and publishing departments as a result of the company's new direction.
"THQ confirms a reduction in force to the company's administration and publishing organization," reads a statement provided to GameSpot. "As recently announced, the company is exiting the kids' licensed games category, and is focusing on its core game franchises and developing its digital initiatives."
THQ did not say how many staffers were let go in the action.
THQ's five internal studios--Vigil, Volition, Relic, THQ San Diego, and THQ Montreal--were not affected by the layoffs. Further information regarding THQ's new direction will be provided at the company's third-quarter 2012 conference call on February 2.
This round of layoffs at THQ comes just one month after the publisher let 30 go from its Play label, the development unit behind the underperforming uDraw tablet peripheral.
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Nintendo considering new name for Wii U – Report
Posted on January 27, 2012
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Underwhelming reaction and concerns of customer confusion supposedly have the Mario maker weighing its options for a rebranding before this year's E3.
The Wii U will hit stores this coming holiday season, but there's a chance it will be called something else by launch day. According to a report on CVG, sources close to Nintendo told the site that the company is considering rebranding the console, which was first unveiled at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo last June.
Nintendo is supposedly unhappy with the initial reaction following the Wii U's announcement and is concerned that it might be inviting consumer confusion with the Wii. Such misunderstandings were one of the blamed culprits for the rocky launch of the 3DS. Some of Nintendo's marketing has since made a point to emphasize that the 3DS is not just another DS, but an entirely new system.
If the Wii U were to be renamed, it would be a sort of reversed reprisal of Nintendo's last console launch. At E3 2006, Nintendo renamed its in-development console from the Revolution to the Wii, a move that drew mixed reactions from gamers and analysts alike.
As of press time, a Nintendo representative had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.
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Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning dev recommends install on Xbox 360
Posted on January 27, 2012
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"For the love of God, please install," advises fantasy game's lead designer, saying it solves problem of lengthy load times.
Installing Xbox 360 games to the system's hard drive to shorten load times is a standard option, but in the case of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, the designer might prefer it to be an ultimatum.
Speaking with OXM, Big Huge Games' Ian Frazier said, "If you have a hard drive, for the love of God, please install."
"You will have much, much smaller load screens," he added. "Please, please, for the love of all that's holy, install."
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be the first game released from 38 Studios, a shop founded by former Major League Baseball pitcher Curt Schilling. It is set to launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on February 7 in North America. The fantasy-themed role-playing game will feature a number of genre staples, from skeleton warriors and cave trolls to swords and sorcery.
For more on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, check out GameSpot's latest preview.
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