Compulsion Games has announced that it has now separated from Xbox as management retails the rights to its IP and staff in wake of the mass layoffs at Microsoft’s gaming studios.
Speaking with GamesBeat, Guillaume Provost, CEO of Compulsion Games, commented, “I did this deal for the team first and foremost. I asked the team, ‘Do you want to stay together?’ The team told me we would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up.” GamesBeat reports that some staff have departed Compulsion Games after Provost warned the studio may closure prior to plans to spin off the company, although Provost declined to reveal an exact staff count.
Everything is relative. Compared to all of us losing our jobs on July 6, this is a pretty good deal. I would say the exit was gracious on Microsoft’s part. The moments like these are for change and opportunity. Starting ventures when times are tough means the companies start to build the right bones. They understand the need for being thrifty and lean because of the economic context. I think we’ll have really solid bones. This is a similar climate to when I started my studio originally. We’re excited to gain back the rights of our intellectual properties and to keep making interesting, weird stories and weird worlds.
GamesBeat added that Provost has been meeting with “various parties to secure a stable future” for the developer and is “exploring different alternatives for permanent funding.” In addition, the executive is “gathering and exploring partnerships,” having confirmed recently that the company is open to collaboration opportunities.
Double Fine Productions is another studio that was spun off from Xbox as a result of the mass layoffs, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have found new ownership.