Trion CEO: Layoffs Were Business as Usual, No Projects Affected

Wed, Jan 21, 2009

Trion World Network CEO Lars Buttler confirmed the company laid off several employees at the well-funded MMO developer, but stressed that jobs lost were redundant, and all of Trion's projects -- including two games in development and the server-side "Trion Platform" -- will be unaffected.

According to Buttler, the company tripled in size this year, and has been undergoing focused layoffs over the past several weeks to save money. That's not to say they're hurting for funds. "We are in a very strong position cash-wise," said Buttler. "We raised a lot of money, we have it in the bank -- we just don't think that having a lot of money is the ticket for spending it."

The CEO said last week's layoffs comprised a minor restructuring of the organization. Trion's web team is no more, its functions delegated to other facets of the business, while several other positions have been reassigned to the company's Austin, Texas facility. Buttler would not confirm the complete departure of executives Erin Turner or Peter Huang -- who headed Trion's web initiative -- but said that like others affected, "they had the opportunity to reapply."

When asked about former employees who fear for the future of Trion, the CEO said: "I don't think that anyone at Trion who is a strong performer, aligned with our priorities, is afraid."

"Strong performers are well rewarded... and we are in a strong position."

Lars Buttler, layoffs, Trion Platform, Trion World Network

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2 Trackbacks For This Post

Trion World Network confirms layoffs but states games are unaffected » Techadoo.com Says:
January 24th, 2009 at 10:17 am

[...] In a follow-up article, Trion’s CEO Lars Butler confirmed that layoffs had occurred but characterized it as a minor restructuring of the company. The company’s web team has been let go and other positions have been moved from Trion’s Redwood Shores, CA studio to its Austin, Texas office. The development of Trion’s two unnamed games (a fantasy MMO and a collaboration with the Sci-Fi Channel) has not been affected, according to Butler. Still for a company that was announced way back in September 2006, the fact that they have not yet revealed any solid details for their game titles is troubling. [...]

Trion Layoff Back in January - Telara Central Says:
August 13th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

[...] projects would be unaffected. I thought it was an interesting read. You can read the full article here. __________________ Trion's #1 Stalker | Blog | Twitter MSN - heroesoftelara[at]hotmail[dot]com [...]

0 Comments For This Post

Trion World Network confirms layoffs but states games are unaffected » Techadoo.com Says:
January 24th, 2009 at 10:17 am
[...] In a follow-up article, Trion’s CEO Lars Butler confirmed that layoffs had occurred but characterized it as a minor restructuring of the company. The company’s web team has been let go and other positions have been moved from Trion’s Redwood Shores, CA studio to its Austin, Texas office. The development of Trion’s two unnamed games (a fantasy MMO and a collaboration with the Sci-Fi Channel) has not been affected, according to Butler. Still for a company that was announced way back in September 2006, the fact that they have not yet revealed any solid details for their game titles is troubling. [...]
Trion Layoff Back in January - Telara Central Says:
August 13th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
[...] projects would be unaffected. I thought it was an interesting read. You can read the full article here. __________________ Trion's #1 Stalker | Blog | Twitter MSN - heroesoftelara[at]hotmail[dot]com [...]

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