Report: Bizarre Founders Had Opportunity, Lacked Finances To Buy Firm Back

Martyn Chudley, managing director of defunct Activision studio and Project Gotham developer Bizarre Creations, told Edge magazine there was at one time an opportunity to buy back the studio's independent status. "Without going into details, yes, there was [a chance to buy the studio back], but I personally thought that there was far greater potential for the security and well-being of the company if a third-party could come in," according to Edge sister site CVG. "Sadly, this was not to be the case." Sarah Chudley, former commercial director for Bizarre, said, "In any case, Bizarre had grown even more since [Activision] took over, and we just don't have the skills, capability or finances to look after over 200 people." "Martyn and I were always small-company people, which is why we stepped aside when we realized it needed big-company skills to manage," she added. In November last year, word emerged that Liverpool-based Bizarre was in trouble, with parent Activision stating that it was considering its options for selling the studio. Activision, which acquired the studio in 2007 in order to address the racing game genre, claimed Bizarre's 2010 combat racing title Blur failed to "find a commercial audience," which factored into the decision to drop the developer. Following failed attempts to find a buyer for the studio, Activision early this year recommended the closure of Bizarre, which officially shuttered shortly after.