Activision opts to close The Blast Furnace mobile studio

Earlier this year, Activision admitted that it may have to close UK studio The Blast Furnace, as part of its evolving business plans -- although there was hope that the team would be able to remain intact in some fashion. The company has now told MCV that keeping the team together was not possible, and that The Blast Furnace will close later this month. "Having explored a range of options, including a potential sale of the business, and consulted with the staff about the options, we have not been able to find a suitable alternative for the talented team in the timescales set by the consultation exercise and have agreed to close The Blast Furnace," reads the statement. Activision noted that it is helping the 47 staff affected by the closure to find new jobs, and well as offering tools and resources to those people. The Blast Furnace was best known for creating mobile games like Call of Duty: Strike Team and Pitfall.