Daybreak, the game studio behind EverQuest and H1Z1, is laying off a number of staff including David Georgeson, the man who has served as the face of EverQuest for many years, Kotaku has learnt.
We don’t know just how many people Daybreak is letting go, as staff are being informed right now whether or not they will remain employed with the company.
The newly-titled Daybreak, which was called Sony Online Entertainment for close to two decades, went independent and changed its name last week after Sony sold it to a New York-based management firm. Although the company was all smiles about the deal in public, staff were immediately told that the company would be laying people off in order to become “profitable,” according to a person close to the studio.
“Most of management keeps trying to get people pumped up about the new direction, but no one knows for sure they will be a part of it yet,” said that person, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak with press about the layoffs.
We’ll keep you updated as we hear more. PR representatives for Daybreak did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Comments
7 responses to “Big Layoffs At EverQuest Studio Today”
Does not bode well for Everquest Next.
Yup, all the cool stuff they were preaching – dynamic world and NPCs changing environments and all that cool stuff will most likely left out. We may just get another generic MMO now.
I god I hope not!
I always thought it looked like a loose concept, I really never had any faith in this game but would have been very happy to be wrong.
Can anyone honestly say that they didn’t see this coming as soon as the sale was announced?
***Prediction***
Daybreak will cease to exist by EoY
Sony ought to pocket the cash from the sale then hire all these guys back, put them into a new studio and carry on. Free money!
This hits very close to home,