After a business review, SCi Entertainment has announced that they will be radically restructuring their business. The main change, structurally, will be a move toward a studio-centric development model along the lines of what EA and Take-Two employ. The company will focus on its “cornerstone products, such as Tomb Raider, Hitman, Championship Manager and Deus Ex.”
They also announce the creation of Eidos PLAY, a division that will be focused on the casual market and new media opportunities. All this restructuring comes at a cost, of course. 14 projects will be canceled, and 25% of the staff will be laid off. By the end of June 2008, SCi believes their annual operating cost will be reduced by £14 million after an initial cost of £7 million.
The CEO of SCi, Phil Rogers, explained the plan:
SCi is in need of immediate change. Following our business review over the last six weeks, we are initiating a clear action plan based on three fundamental strands of activity: a radical change in our structure to a studio-led business, a top to bottom programme of product improvement and efficiency and a considerable cost reduction plan.
While I’m not exactly thrilled about the prospect of the steady stream of Tomb Raiders that will be undoubtedly be pumped out of this studio system, any restructuring that promises to focus attention on the deliriously good Deus Ex franchise is just fine by me.
Leave a Reply