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Prototype Dev Axed, Studio's Future Uncertain

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by Jim Reilly on June 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM
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Activision confirmed there have been significant layoffs at Vancouver-based Radical Entertainment, the studio behind the Prototype franchise, and said it will no longer develop games for the publisher.

"Radical is a very talented studio and has been a great partner to Activision," a spokesperson told Game Informer. "Although we made a substantial investment in the Prototype IP, it did not find a broad commercial audience.

"Following an exploration of a wide range of options, it was determined that closing Radical Entertainment as a creative entity was the only option."

This decision means that Radical will not be independently developing any games going forward. There will, however, be some employees who will remain working for the company on other Activision Publishing projects, according to the publisher.

Activision clarified saying the studio is not shutting down entirely at this time. "We met with the team and are currently exploring various options for the future of the studio including a potential sale of the business," the spokesperson added. 

"Our preference would be to keep the team together, however, it is too early to say anything further at this time."

Prototype 2 was released in April 2012. Radical Entertainment also released Scarface: The World Is Yours in 2006 and The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction in 2005.

The developer employed around 90 people.

Correction: This story incorrectly stated Activision was closing Radical Entertainment. As of now, it will remain open, but in a much smaller capacity.

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Comments
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  • by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 02:55 PM
    Damn, its always tough to hear about closings. I thought Prototype 2 was a fantastic game, but obviously it didn't sale very well.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 02:57 PM
    Was Prototype2 really that bad?

    EDIT: I haven't played the game yet, so I'm going on assumption(low sales). I thought the game had plenty of potential from the previews I've seen.

    I hope the devs who didn't stay on board with Activision for other projects, can find work in the near future. Best of luck to them.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 02:58 PM
    wow... and yet they continue to milk call of duty to its dying breath. when will they make a smart decision? oh wait, its Activision.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 02:59 PM
    Dang! thats too bad
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:01 PM
    Kinda sad was never really that into Prototype and I understand it didn't sell as well as activision hoped but damn that is just a cruel thing to do
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:02 PM
    Disappointing, but a smart decision by Activision. Move the better talent into another studio and consolidate. It will be better for them going forward.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:02 PM

    Aww man :( I didn't know these guys were in any danger.

  • by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:02 PM
    I thought that Prototype 2 sold really well?
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:04 PM
    Who else is Activision going to close? With their multi-billions can't they afford to support a promising but unproven dev like Sony does, hell even EA does to a certain extent. And that press statement sounds like Harvey Dent's two personas interrupting each other, 'a talented studio and a great partner-' '-and the only option is to close them as a creative entity.' Read that in a Richard Moll voice and you'll see why.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:05 PM

    Prototype 2 was good. Shame it didn't sell well.

  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:06 PM
    Wow. That is really shocking. I really enjoyed Prototype 2 and still think it's one of the best games this year so far. Then again, coming from Activision who is all about sales numbers, it's not as surprising.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:07 PM

    That seriously sucks they are closed down. I hope they find jobs in the future. Freakin' Activision.

  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:07 PM
    It's always disappointing to hear that more studios are being closed down.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:09 PM
    Sad.
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:11 PM
    Well that's lame, no Prototype 3. oh well, always other games, Radical could have made the graphics better for both games though.
  • by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:17 PM

    It's terrible when the failure of a game causes an entire company to close down. So much money is spent these days on them... SmGodDamnH.

  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:17 PM
    the games sucked anyways
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:17 PM
    i have this gut feeling activation is going to send some of these people to work on call of duty
  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:18 PM

    Well that sucks.

  •
    by Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 03:19 PM
    Always sad to hear a group of promising people having their studio shut down. Honestly, I hope all the employees get relocated somewhere within Activision. Maybe add them to the CoD development teams, if for no other reason other than the guaranteed job they'll have.
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