UK publisher Eidos Interactive has closed Rockpool Games in Manchester, England with 14 staff being made redundant at the mobile gaming studio.
Eidos
acquired wireless developer Rockpool Games and sister companies Ironstone Partners and SoGoPlay in February 2007, bringing them into its New Media division.
Rockpool was already well known for producing mobile phone games based on existing franchises such as
Worms and
MotoGP.
Eidos hasn't directly confirmed the fate of licensing company Ironstone and casual games portal SoGoPlay, but the loss of only 14 staff may suggest that some employees may have been retained by the company in some capacity.
"As a company we need to focus our efforts on high-quality titles that will deliver long-term franchise value, and in these incredibly challenging and competitive times we need to pro-actively manage our cost base," said the company as it
confirmed the closure to UK website GamesIndustry.biz.
"This decision was a difficult one to make and we would like to thank these employees for their hard work and we wish them well in their future careers,” continued the statement.
Eidos’ current problems have been well-documented, with the publisher
currently in new talks regarding a complete buyout of the business. The company recently hat to admit disappointing sales for key Christmas title
Tomb Raider: Underworld -- which led to the shedding of 30 staff from developer Crystal Dynamics.
