14 DAY TRIAL // THQ has officially announced that it is closing down Kaos Studios, the studio behind the recent Homefront title, as well as the UK-based Digital Warrington branch.
Kaos Studios worked extremely hard for the recent Homefront game, but it seems that THQ, the owner of the company, wasn't so pleased with the end result, largely because of the mixed reviews the title received, and has now announced that the studio will be shutting down.
According to the North American company, it has made a "strategic realignment within its internal studio structure and is in the process of closing two locations: the company’s UK studio and Kaos studio in New York."
UK trade publication Develop estimates that around 100 people worked at Kaos, while another 46 staff were employed by Digital Warrington.
Kaos saw a batch of layoffs affect the studio right after Homefront was launched in the middle of March, with THQ saying that it's just part of the regular procedure to stop collaborating with extra staff after a project is complete.
Those that were working for Kaos in New York have reportedly received offers from THQ to move to the new Montreal studio, which is set to employ over 400 people. As you can imagine, this is a pretty tough decision for the developers, who would be forced to move to a new country in order to keep their jobs with THQ.
The Homefront franchise developed by THQ will now be overseen by the Montreal studio, which is set to "take over product development and overall creative management" for the first-person shooter series.
The studio is currently being led by former Ubisoft Montreal members, including Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Desilets, who is spearheading a new project for THQ.
It's sad to hear that Kaos is shutting down, and, hopefully, all the employees will be able to continue working in the industry, either at THQ at its Montreal office, or at another company.