Disney Interactive Confirms Restructuring As Devs Suffer Layoffs

" Why I find particularly strange is that Epic Mickey apparently sold over 1.5 million copies*. So does that mean even a million-plus seller these day can't support it's own budget? Or is it that Epic Mickey sales couldn't support other failed projects?    (*NDP numbers via Gametrailers' Invisible Walls #143) "

Okay ... no surprises there!

I hope Johnny V is safe

Epic, but in a really bad way. Best of luck to all those affected.

" Is it Disney or Square that handles the majority of Kingdom Hearts? I'd like to see s PS3 KH3, then they can shut that franchise down. Hope Johnny V is still employed. "

" Hope Johnny V isn't part of the layoffs. Dude's getting married. "

Is it Disney or Square that handles the majority of Kingdom Hearts? I'd like to see s PS3 KH3, then they can shut that franchise down. Hope Johnny V is still employed.

Shame, I was really hyped for Epic Mickey and am still on the fence as to wether I'm buying it. 
This just seems like an unfair move though, fire the execs that made the bad decisions instead.

To bad about Propoganda Games being shut down this month, interested in seeing what Disney does with the turok licence.

" @Hailinel: square enix should restructure as well then.  i liked crisis core but the rest of their recent games have been disasters.  fingers crossed that deus ex breaks the losing streak.  "

where in the world is Johhny V now?!?!?!
 
 
<--still hoping for Turok2

Is Johnny V okay?

I liked Epic Mickey a lot, and I hate Playdom , so gut instinct says I gotta get pissed at this new CEO of theirs. However, I also can see how Epic Mickey - despite selling over a million copies (great news) domestically, before it even gets localized and shipped overseas (bet it'll do well in Japan) - was deemed too expensive. A 4 year dev cycle, with 3 other studios' outsourcing, for a product that still needed polish!?! Meanwhile, you have a studio like Avalanche who got Toy Story 3 done for multiple console in less than half the time (and did some of the outsourcing for Epic Mickey). I can see why this Playdom CEO guy would look at this stuff and say that the process needs to be refined and studios need to be cut down somewhat.
 
However, I'm still not happy for this. Disney Interactive was an interesting publisher as of late who put out many cool games. They really need to see the value in pursuing games like Epic Mickey and PotC: Armada of the Damned, and I sincerely hope they don't go back to licensed tie in/bargain bin hell. 
 
Wish all the employees at the studios' who lost their jobs luck in the near future. Losing your job always sucks, but losing it in the winter is extra trashy.

  Who  achieved  it , and now  it  has become a  stumbling block to  a really  bad  can not be  bad news  for  those  who  step on ,  I am a bit lost.    

That'll teach 'em to cancel a Pirates game I was looking forward to!

Black rock is so awesome. They have to stay together, I don't care what their games sold.

Company that puts out mediocre games that fail to fly off the shelf features lay-offs, life is so unfair.  I bet Disney is regretting trading Al Michaels for Oscar the Rabbit.

"That sucks. Hopefully Johnny V is safe. "

Fuck Disney. Epic Mickey was shit but that's no reason to go the direction of casual games. 

" doesn't surprise me given the negative reviews for most of their recent releases, including all of the post-PS2 KH games. "

doesn't surprise me given the negative reviews for most of their recent releases, including all of the post-PS2 KH games.

This is all because of John's Ice-T impression at PAX!!  
I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!!

I really hope Blackrock stays together.

Bummer. This is always so depressing to hear/read, especially if you're wishing to someday get involved in this industry.  
 
I sincerely hope Black Rock stays fine. There's some incredible racing game talent in there. 

Bummer, my kids liked Epic Mickey problems and all. Was hoping to see an improved second one come out.

Look like WBI won this battle.

That sucks. Hopefully Johnny V is safe.

First they came for Johnny V's job, and we did nothing.

This is pretty shitty. Good luck to anyone who lost their job and all the best to them. 
 
Once again, just goes to show that making games is an expensive venture, and it's really hard to maintain a level of viability when your games just don't sell and garner the revenues that were expected of it, unfortunately. Here's hoping these studios can fare better in digital shelf space and deliver better and more commercially viable games in that realm.

Aw man, I hope Johnny V's alright. Gotta suck for everyone involved, though.

Seems like such a knee jerk move.  Why spend all the time establishing to just bow out.  Christ, work on it a few years.
 
I thought Split/Second was great, Epic Mickey was a disappointment but sold regardless, Tron is so obviously suffering from a rush job (it isn't lacking in imagination, it's lacking in playtesting), and Armada of the Damned looked really cool.  They've gone from having all the potential to be a big publisher with a ton of IP behind it to just another fringe media corporation shilling bullshit games.

I blame Johnny V for all this, i think it was all downhill when he called that guy "Horsey", but seriously it''s pretty bad news

" Ok people, NOW is when you can start worrying about Johnny V's job. "

" Why I find particularly strange is that Epic Mickey apparently sold over 1.5 million copies*. So does that mean even a million-plus seller these day can't support it's own budget? Or is it that Epic Mickey sales couldn't support other failed projects?    (*NDP numbers via Gametrailers' Invisible Walls #143) "

Why I find particularly strange is that Epic Mickey apparently sold over 1.5 million copies*.
So does that mean even a million-plus seller these day can't support it's own budget?
Or is it that Epic Mickey sales couldn't support other failed projects?
 

 (*NDP numbers via Gametrailers' Invisible Walls #143)

" Why Disney didn't sell Epic Mickey on all platforms is beyond me. The person who decided that is the one who should be fired. "

Why Disney didn't sell Epic Mickey on all platforms is beyond me. The person who decided that is the one who should be fired.

Didn't Epic Mickey sell fantastically? Seeing people getting laid off or studios getting shut down after a game ships is so disheartening.

People that are blaming Epic Mickey for this need to refocus where they're looking.  The writing should have been on the wall when Armada of the Damned was axed without any public explanation.  This sounds like something that Disney had been plotting for a while, now.

Johnny V told me yesterday he is fine.

I hope Junction Point gets to do more Mickey Mouse stuff, as contrary to Ryan's review I really liked Epic Mickey despite its flaws.

Man that's a bummer. 

So many layoffs everywhere. As the biz gets bigger, some competition is pushed out. sad.

Sad stuff - Epic Mickey had some problems but I enjoyed it and my girlfriend loved it.  Though from the stance of Spector being brought on to make this game and getting a team together, it does seem like they had planned this to be a one time thing.

" Hope Johnny V isn't affected by any of this. Fingers crossed for him. "

yep, being a developer sure sounds like a lot of fun, you do all the hard work only to be disposed off when not needed anymore while all the suits that kept pestering you to rush the development process get to keep their jobs.