Backbone Entertainment suffers job losses

Backbone Entertainment, responsible for many of the XBLA Mega Drive game ports, the Sonic Rivals series and Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection, has suffered job losses due to a lower demand for console games. James North-Hearn, chief executive of parent company Foundation 9, made the following comments:

I regret to announce a round of layoffs at Backbone Entertainment.

Due to a lower demand for conventional console development, the studio has made some difficult but necessary adjustments in both its capacity and services, with the goal of matching the changing needs of today’s market.

To date, Backbone Entertainment have been responsible for over 100 games including popular ports such as Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, The Simpsons Arcade Game, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and many more.

It’s always tough to read about job losses, regardless of the company. Here’s hoping that all those affected find something sooner rather than later. The full statement by Mr. North-Hearn can be read after the jump.

[Source: VentureBeat]

I regret to announce a round of layoffs at Backbone Entertainment.  The studio will continue to operate at a reduced size and will honor its commitments  to existing partners. Due to a lower demand for conventional console development, the studio has made some difficult but necessary adjustments in both its capacity and services, with the goal of matching the changing needs of today’s market. The dedicated development staff at Backbone has put together some of the studio’s best work  for our partners in the upcoming fall releases, Dance Central 3 and Midway Arcade Origins. I would like to publicly thank the departing members for their incredible service to the company.  All of us at Foundation 9 are sorry to lose them and we’re here to help them to a soft landing.   We wish them well in their individual pursuits.

About the author

Michael Westgarth

Michael Westgarth is a freelance writer and geneticist for hire who has been writing about video games since 2011. Michael enjoys saving the world and building creeper-proof, vertical sheep farms. Follow him on Twitter @MegaWestgarth, Tumblr and Google+.