Yesterday, we reported on a 20% cut to staff at Funcom that also came with the comment that Funcom's upcoming horror themed MMOG, The Secret World, would indeed be delayed several months due to these changes.

The report left many of us wondering if these changes would also have an affect on the release of Age of Conan's upcoming Rise of the Godslayer expansion. Today, a Funcom spokesperson speaking to Jamie Davey of Strategy Informer reassures us that the recent cuts will have "little to no effect" on the release of Rise of the Godslayer.

Via Strategy Informer.

Ohhhh this is really gonna increase subscriptions, not surprised how well they are doing. Keep up the good work Funcom.

Jihad works both ways

"Spokeperson"... ye right....

Its very easy to say the expansion will not be affected when there are very little or even no details out on release - or even what is supposed to be in it.  Few artwork pictures and a good PR at a game show do wonders - but the rest is real work.

So... if this expansion comes out in 2 years - Funcom can still say cutting workforce didn't affect it.  Thats how much of the truth this "spokesperson" is talking about.

Good news!

But too bad if TSW is delayed..

But the real question is....

Will the majority of  FC's developers (well what's left of them)  focus on the Xpac? Which is extremely skinny in content (based on what they have revealed.)

OR

Are they going to focus more manpower on fixing the bajillion things that need fixing in the current state of AoC?

As if releasing something unfinished bothered failcom ever?

After reading all the reports and official release it seems more like FC is moving that 20% staff from Oslo to the much cheaper Montreal, which on top offers to return 30someting% back in salaries to the companies locating there.

FC offered a relocation package to the staff members affected by this cuts (no word on if to all of them or how many) and is actively hiring in the recently set Montreal studio.

60 people are potentially losing their job in Oslo and potentially receiving the option to relocate to Montreal, Montreal is gonna have a TSW focus according to the GD, so it's no wonder it has little impact on other FC projects and developments.

TSW, however is facing a potential big loss of workforce (they had stated 100 people working on the title in their financial report for the past quarter) and of those 60 people being either let go to rehire in Montreal or that will be relocated there (eventually) should be mostly TSW development crew and some administrative positions.

Sucks for TSW, if you ask me, the "delay" itself is meaningless as no date has been given for anything in regards to that game, but having to make this kind of adjustment in the middle of production can't be fun.

With the kind of incentives the city of Montreal is giving to companies to locate there i can't blame anyone willing to do it.

Originally posted by Gargola

After reading all the reports and official release it seems more like FC is moving that 20% staff from Oslo to the much cheaper Montreal, which on top offers to return 30someting% back in salaries to the companies locating there.

 

FC offered a relocation package to the staff members affected by this cuts (no word on if to all of them or how many) and is actively hiring in the recently set Montreal studio.

 

60 people are potentially losing their job in Oslo and potentially receiving the option to relocate to Montreal, Montreal is gonna have a TSW focus according to the GD, so it's no wonder it has little impact on other FC projects and developments.

 

TSW, however is facing a potential big loss of workforce (they had stated 100 people working on the title in their financial report for the past quarter) and of those 60 people being either let go to rehire in Montreal or that will be relocated there (eventually) should be mostly TSW development crew and some administrative positions.

 

Sucks for TSW, if you ask me, the "delay" itself is meaningless as no date has been given for anything in regards to that game, but having to make this kind of adjustment in the middle of production can't be fun.

 

With the kind of incentives the city of Montreal is giving to companies to locate there i can't blame anyone willing to do it.

good points

Originally posted by Draccan

Originally posted by Gargola

After reading all the reports and official release it seems more like FC is moving that 20% staff from Oslo to the much cheaper Montreal, which on top offers to return 30someting% back in salaries to the companies locating there.

 

FC offered a relocation package to the staff members affected by this cuts (no word on if to all of them or how many) and is actively hiring in the recently set Montreal studio.

 

60 people are potentially losing their job in Oslo and potentially receiving the option to relocate to Montreal, Montreal is gonna have a TSW focus according to the GD, so it's no wonder it has little impact on other FC projects and developments.

 

TSW, however is facing a potential big loss of workforce (they had stated 100 people working on the title in their financial report for the past quarter) and of those 60 people being either let go to rehire in Montreal or that will be relocated there (eventually) should be mostly TSW development crew and some administrative positions.

 

Sucks for TSW, if you ask me, the "delay" itself is meaningless as no date has been given for anything in regards to that game, but having to make this kind of adjustment in the middle of production can't be fun.

 

With the kind of incentives the city of Montreal is giving to companies to locate there i can't blame anyone willing to do it.

 

good points

I second that.

It is a shame for those that will loose their job in Norway, I have read and familar with TSW staff relocating to Canada already since that main announcement was made.

At the same time from a company perspective and for those curious as the amount of staff, word has been put around (unofficially) that the amount of new hires in Canada will outweigh the losses in Norway. Thus, the delay put on TSW in getting new people in and up to date but the end result for the company will mean they will be in a better position for it from the looks of things at the end of the day. They will actually end up with more people working for the company.

I feel for those that will loose their job or not want to relocate though, so as someone who has enjoyed Funcom games I thank them for their contributions there as a fan and their part played.

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by Draccan

Originally posted by Gargola

After reading all the reports and official release it seems more like FC is moving that 20% staff from Oslo to the much cheaper Montreal, which on top offers to return 30someting% back in salaries to the companies locating there.

 

FC offered a relocation package to the staff members affected by this cuts (no word on if to all of them or how many) and is actively hiring in the recently set Montreal studio.

 

60 people are potentially losing their job in Oslo and potentially receiving the option to relocate to Montreal, Montreal is gonna have a TSW focus according to the GD, so it's no wonder it has little impact on other FC projects and developments.

 

TSW, however is facing a potential big loss of workforce (they had stated 100 people working on the title in their financial report for the past quarter) and of those 60 people being either let go to rehire in Montreal or that will be relocated there (eventually) should be mostly TSW development crew and some administrative positions.

 

Sucks for TSW, if you ask me, the "delay" itself is meaningless as no date has been given for anything in regards to that game, but having to make this kind of adjustment in the middle of production can't be fun.

 

With the kind of incentives the city of Montreal is giving to companies to locate there i can't blame anyone willing to do it.

 

good points

 

I second that.

It is a shame for those that will loose their job in Norway, I have read and familar with TSW staff relocating to Canada already since that main announcement was made.

At the same time from a company perspective and for those curious as the amount of staff, word has been put around (unofficially) that the amount of new hires in Canada will outweigh the losses in Norway. Thus, the delay put on TSW in getting new people in and up to date but the end result for the company will mean they will be in a better position for it from the looks of things at the end of the day. They will actually end up with more people working for the company.

I feel for those that will loose their job or not want to relocate though, so as someone who has enjoyed Funcom games I thank them for their contributions there as a fan and their part played.

LOL , Avery only you could spinn this as a positive thing that Funcom has done. They are getting what they deserve non support for an unfinished product that they have now twice put out to the public. I seriousely doubt that there new Hype The Seceret World will be any different. Funcom stand by for High Winds and Heavy Seas support for your games will not return.

Jihad works both ways

good news .bad for those who dont want to relocate but few jobs in entertainment industry are life time.realy looking forward to godslayer hopefuly can re sub to it before it comes out an get my guardian to 80.odd from what i read thier was alot of content in the expansion.but i dont get the troll weekly reader tho.

Originally posted by Axeion

good news .bad for those who dont want to relocate but few jobs in entertainment industry are life time.realy looking forward to godslayer hopefuly can re sub to it before it comes out an get my guardian to 80.odd from what i read thier was alot of content in the expansion.but i dont get the troll weekly reader tho.

I take it your refering to me as the weekly troll which im am not but what i am is a person who because of them meaning  {Funcom} spent quite abit of money to play there game AOC with all they said would be in it and of course was not and contineus to not be. There track record is that of putting out games that are Hyped and not what they promise is in them and then spend the rest of there time trying to catch up and keep as many subscriptions as they can.

Over time they keep losing folks and sending out pink slips which tells me they are getting what they deserve. Let the Buyer Beware with these guys. I will continue to point out there Track Record every chance i get.

Jihad works both ways