Rebellion Confirms HQ Layoffs, Derby Studio Closure

Oxford, UK-based Rebellion confirmed layoffs at its Oxford headquarters alongside the closure of its Derby satellite office, after a period of consultation that began earlier this year. The number of cuts at the Oxford headquarters,which recently shipped Aliens vs. Predator, is unspecified; a spokesperson told UK trade site Develop that its source's estimation of 20 positions was "nowhere near" correct, but that "a few staff in junior positions" were let go from Oxford as part of ongoing corporate restructuring. It's also unclear whether the entirety of Rebellion's Derby staff, which last worked on Rogue Warrior for Bethesda, were given pink slips; in January the company described a restructuring aimed to leverage facility expansions in Oxford and Runcorn, suggesting Rebellion would consider moving some or all Derby staff there. At the time CEO and creative director Jason Kingsley cited the difficult economic climate and warned of "painful" steps in the company's growth. Rebellion Derby was formerly Eidos-owned Core Design, developer of the original Tomb Raider game. Rebellion purchased the studio, its staff and assets -- except its IP -- from Eidos parent SCi back in 2006.