14 DAY TRIAL // After revealing that it will explore other options before deciding the fate of Bizarre Creations, Activision has now stated that its recommendation for the UK-based studio is to shut its doors and cease operations.
Bizarre Creations made a name for itself after developing the prestigious Project Gotham Racing series, which went on to become a best seller on the original Xbox and on the Xbox 360.
Back in 2007, the studio was purchased by Activision which put it to work on new racing title Blur and on Blood Stone 007, a new James Bond game.
Now, after the studio released both titles last year, Activision is recommending the team there to consider shutting down operations.
According to Coddy Johnson, the CEO of Activision Worldwide Studios, all other options were explored, and subsequently exhausted.
"I want to be clear, our first choice was to try and keep this group together and find a buyer for the studio. This decision comes after a few months of exhausted examination of a number of different options across the board," Johnson said to UK trade magazine Develop.
He added, "We of course care about this team. We're offering the studio as many resources as possible, including counseling, external placement services and external career fairs."
Johnson stressed that the group has "explored a lot of leads - pretty much anyone you can imagine in the industry."
"But unfortunately, so far we've not been able to find any interested parties. So we've made as a last resort, a recommendation to the team for closure."
Both Blur and Blood Stone 007 failed to meet sales expectations, and it seems that not even Microsoft is interested in the studio, which could be put to work on its rumored Project Gotham Racing 5 title.
A decision hasn't been made yet, but it seems that Bizarre may be shut down in the near future.