PWE confirms Motiga layoffs and Runic Games closure, but MOBA Gigantic will stay up
Last night, we reported on multiple employees and former employees’ allusions to the closure of Motiga Games, the studio behind MOBA Gigantic. “Today marks the end of Motiga and my time with an absolutely amazing team,” wrote former audio lead Dan Crislip. “If anyone is hiring, we’re all looking!”
Perfect World has now responded to Massively OP with a statement on what’s going on – in fact, it’s not just Motiga affected, as apparently Runic Games is also shutting down. PWE is distancing itself from the decisions.
“Following the news that Motiga has reduced the staff of its studio, Perfect World Entertainment can confirm that as the publisher of Gigantic, the game will continue to be available on our platforms. A core team of developers remains at Motiga, who will work with us to support the game and its players, including moving full steam ahead with the upcoming November update and future content. We cannot thank everyone enough for their contributions in making Gigantic the outstanding experience it is today.”
“Perfect World Entertainment recently closed the Seattle office of Runic Games as part of the company’s continued strategy to focus on online games as a service. We’re grateful to the team for all of their hard work bringing incredible experiences like Torchlight, Torchlight II and Hob to life. Runic Games will remain a part of Perfect World Entertainment’s portfolio of studios, and its games will continue to be available to players, as we stay committed to supporting and growing Runic Games’ beloved franchises.
“The staff reduction at Motiga and the closure of Runic Games Seattle were unrelated. Perfect World Entertainment stands committed to delivering the best massively multiplayer online gameplay experiences to our players.”
Here’s hoping the teams land on their feet.
PSA – Runic Seattle is the only Runic. Unless companies are just a name.
— Travis Baldree (@TwinStickGames) November 3, 2017
It's true, Runic Games has been closed. Our statement is on the website: https://t.co/uSWZ4X0XlW
Thank you for being part of our story. <3
— Runic Games (@RunicGames) November 3, 2017
It's true, Runic Games has been closed. Our statement is on the website: https://t.co/uSWZ4X0XlW
Thank you for being part of our story. <3
— Runic Games (@RunicGames) November 3, 2017
Ooph being a Game Dev / Programmer must be rough. These studios are constantly forming, being bought by someone else, being downsized and being outright closed. The industry sounds cool and interesting but the job security just blows. I imagine it must be stressful.
” online games as a service”
That’s sadly becoming the new buzzword as time moves on.
I can only imagine how awful the new characters for Gigantic will be with PWE’s hand.
Here’s to hope for minimal interference.
It took Runic a very long time to make HOB, a game with limited sale potential. I liked their games but I cant say I didnt expect money issues. Hope some of them can get together and make something quick and fun again.
As long as studios are just ‘one game’ or ‘one franchise’ studios, their existence and their jobs lead a far too precarious an existence.
I just saw this on my twitter feed and it would seem I missed this article when you posted this earlier.
Sad to see the Runic folks close down as I had many hours of fun in both Torchlight games, both of which had a really unique and charming feel to them. :-(
……… Well, fuck.
Wait, no! Not Runic!
got exactly the same reaction… :(
Sad to hear about one of Runic’s offices closing, but I cannot say I’m surprised. Hob is great, but I always felt like it was a mistake to have it be their main project after Torchlight II. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have made Hob, but they should have at least saved it as a side-development project along side something bigger like, say, Torchlight Online. All I want from them still is more Torchlight, and while, as I said, Hob is great, I did not want or need a new franchise, and was more disappointed about it when it was announced than excited. Here’s hoping they do go forward with a Torchlight mmo.
I just played Hob last month and it was a lot of fun, but… it was a 10 to 12 hour experience without a whole ton of reason to go back and do it again.
However, the upside is that Runic is not shut down, just one of their offices (not great, but can obiously be worse), and it sounds like PWE and Runic are likely working on something online oriented. Possibly a Torchlight 3 with a stronger online component.
I’m confused on this too — Baldree just said on Twitter there’s only one Runic. I don’t understand why PWE is suggesting there’s a Seattle version separate from the rest, and I really don’t understand why every person/studio involved is acting like nobody made any decisions and this is all just happening in the abstract. I’ve updated our post with the tweets!
Aww… f*ck me…
Well, Runic formed out of the ashes of one studio, maybe these guys can get together and do it again.
Funny thing is I literally bought Torchlight 2 about an hour bedore the original post went up.
It’s one of the greats. Motiga is sad, but losing Runic is a major tragedy.
And PWE announcing it 10 minutes before BlizzCon. :P