We didn’t expect Starhawk developer LightBox Interactive to stay exclusive to Sony following the release of its most recent online multiplayer shooter, but we’re a little bit disappointed by the company’s decision to step away from console development altogether. Alas, company president Dylan Jobe confirmed overnight that the Austin-based studio has laid off two dozen employees as it switches its focus to iOS and mobile development.
“Why the lay-offs? Well, as you know the industry is changing. We are moving away from traditional console development to self-fund the development of our next game on Apple’s iOS devices,” the likeable executive told Game Informer magazine.
Apparently, the company’s exclusivity contract with PlayStation has now lapsed, and the two parties have decided to go their separate ways. A spokesperson for the platform holder said: “Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that it has amicably ended its working agreement with developer LightBox Interactive, Inc. We have had a positive and long-standing working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavour. Starhawk and Warhawk will continue to be supported by Santa Monica Studio.”
Meanwhile, Jobe added: “Santa Monica Studio and Sony Computer Entertainment are fantastic people and great to work with. We have had, and will continue to have, a great relationship with everyone over there and I have no doubt that they’ll continue to bring the kick-ass games – and hardware – to gamers everywhere.”
LightBox Interactive is the second PlayStation exclusive developer to switch its attention to mobile development in just eight months. Twisted Metal studio Eat Sleep Play also followed a similar path earlier this year. At this rate, there’ll be no console developers left.
[source gameinformer.com, via mcvuk.com]
Comments 10
Great studio and a heavily under-rated game. Sad news all around.
EDIT: I should clarify — I'm sure their iOS games will be great, but I would have liked to see them do another console release.
I feel as though Starhawk should have done much better at retail than it actually did, but then again it turns out this isn't the cause of their departure from console development. Best of luck to them all the same.
This is really a shame. I hope they do well and that the laid off staff get picked up byt Sony or another studio. But do iOS games really make that much more profit? Aside from the Uber-popular Angrybirds I wonder if they will really are that profitalbe. For their sake i hope it will be.
@3Above It's a good question. I don't think anybody really knows. There's so much hype surrounding the space right now, but I can't imagine the average game does particularly well. I know the Coconut Dodge developers revealed that they made more money on PlayStation Minis than they did iOS.
@Shogunrok Of course the poor sales of Starhawk are the reason why Sony decided to not maintain a contract with LI, which then had to downsize in order to survive. Sad thing is that their game is really great but failed to catch the attention of enough gamers due to very poor marketing campaign from Sony.
This is depressing news indeed. Starhawk was one of the best 3rd person shooters I had played in a long time. It's very disappointing to see that fans of the genre almost completely ignored this gem. I remember the first month this game came out, the online community dropped like a rock, and was pushing 300 people on a good day.
@get2sammyb Time will tell i suppose. In a year or 2 we should be able to see if iOS, Android and PS Mobile games are more lucrative. If EatSleepPlay dont fair much better it will become rather plain that the mobile market doesnt mean instant success the way some seem to believe.
its a pity i actually like starhawk a lot...
Sad to hear them go, but I'm sure they will find a ton of success with mobile gaming.
For a unnamed indie developer to make his way in the mobile gaming world is indeed tough, but when Lightbox Interactive's game goes to launch, you can rest assured that it will be big news, just like when any of the other big company's games release on those platforms. Heck, only yesterday saw Stainless Games' Carmageddon release and it went straight to the top of the iOS Marketplace in a few hours, because of a successful Kickstarter campaign (sequel) and a bit of media attention. The thing is, so many developers on mobile platforms aren't reaching out to websites before they launch - it's their own loss, as we'd do anything to help them out if they've got a worthy product to sell.
I just played the single-player demo, and I liked it. If they had released the demo sooner maybe more people would have taken the plunge. I played the demo and now I'm going to get the game.
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