Midway: Austin Layoffs Part Of 'Routine Reduction'

Publisher Midway has confirmed that, in addition to the recently-announced resignation of two of its execs, additional employees were also recently laid off at its Austin studio. A representative told Gamasutra, "We had a small reduction in force at our Austin studio. It was a routine reduction, a function of our current production schedule and requirements." He continued, "We recently completed a project down there, and as part of a down-ramp of the product lifecycle, we did let some people go, but things are still full steam ahead at Austin. We're growing in other areas, hiring in other studios, and we have other projects in development." Midway announced yesterday the resignation of its executive VP, CFO, and treasurer, Thomas Powell, appointing VP Ryan O'Desky as its interim CFO. The company's senior marketing VP, Steve Allison, is also leaving the company, but will remain in an advisory role until March. In November of last year, Midway designer Harvey Smith also resigned from the Austin studio. In December, Midway's board chairman Kenneth Cron also left the company and was replaced by Shari Redstone, former vice-chair and daughter of the company's largest shareholder, Sumner Redstone.