The Shoot Developer Cohort Studios Closes Down

Dundee, UK-based developer Cohort Studios has announced that it is to close down as a result of "the difficulties of being a console developer in a declining console marketplace." Best known for its work on PlayStation Move launch title The Shoot, the company was founded in 2006 and comprises of over 25 employees. It has also worked on Buzz! Junior and Lemmings, and provided assistance for the development of Burnout Paradise and Motorstorm. "It really is with great sadness that we have been left with no alternative but to start winding down," said Lol Scragg, CEO of Cohort. "Making all 25 employees redundant is genuinely heartbreaking." "It goes without saying that we wish them all every success, as they really are a very talented team and we are actively trying to seek employment for each and every one of them. As we entered 2011, we have looked to change the direction of our business but unfortunately we ran out of time." Cohort noted that its first self-published title, Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar!, is still due for release on PlayStation Minis next month, and will be available to download for PSP and PlayStation 3. Cohort Studios faced troubling times last year, when it was forced to lay off 27 members of its staff, roughly cutting the studio's headcount in half.