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Empire unloading Razorworks

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Publisher in talks to sell off or close Ford Racing developer as part of restructuring plans to reduce workforce by 30 percent.

Last month, reports circulated that Empire Interactive was shutting down Ford Racing development studio Razorworks. Empire suggested at the time that it was looking to sell the studio, but stressed that there were no other changes being made at the publisher.

That last part wasn't entirely true, as Empire parent company Silverstar Holdings this week announced that the sale or disposition of Razorworks is just one part of a restructuring effort at the publisher that includes reorganizing the management team and relocating headquarters to the London suburb of Muswell Hill.

Silverstar wants to reduce headcount at Empire by 30 percent, with most of that goal achieved by unloading the developers and physical assets of Razorworks one way or the other. The company has said that getting rid of Razorworks won't require selling its intellectual property or impacting current titles in development.

"The company is currently in negotiations with potential acquirers and looks to complete the transaction in the coming weeks," according to Silverstar. "The total head count reduction is expected to deliver cash flow savings of approximately $3 million per year."

Razorworks has been working on Pipe Mania and Ford Racing Off Road. The developer has previously worked on a variety of titles, including the Xbox Live Arcade editions of Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe and Double Dragon, as well as the Taito Legends compilations. The studio was originally acquired by Empire in 2000.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

20 comments
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CVM_123
CVM_123

who will probably like this?

cooldude03
cooldude03

The loss of jobs sucks. It's not easy being a small time developer in the video game industry. Good luck to the Razorworks employees.

sphinx-shadow
sphinx-shadow

it all comes down to Pipe Mania how much it is worth to a developer like EA or Activision because we all know that ford racing it not a selling point.

living_wmd_888
living_wmd_888

Ford Racing.... pssssh. A blatant commercial for Ford, which badly needs any exposure. The XBL Double Dragon was pretty good though.

jjjulien
jjjulien

What is to happen to their enemy engaged franchise?

Lexxzilla
Lexxzilla

I'm surprised that they even have to debate this, because many people (myself included) didn't even know they were still making games. Their games just flat out sucked.

K-Grogg
K-Grogg

There're Ford racing games?

combatsoldier
combatsoldier

this isnt that big of a deal. its cause there isnt enough gasoline to feed the game lol.

CVM_123
CVM_123

Only a ford cars game Hint:wont sell much

Agreb91
Agreb91

I think we will all survive without Ford racing.

V-Nine
V-Nine

...guess the gas situation is affecting Ford in more was than one prhaps..heheheh.....

Richmaester6907
Richmaester6907

They dont have the most appealing titles to be honest I mean Pipe Mania.........WTF!?!?!?!?

DontEatCream
DontEatCream

Whatever will we do without Ford Racing?! Oh, woe!

ColdfireTrilogy
ColdfireTrilogy

Hmm, well its bound to happen, if small time devs arent gonna put something spectacular on the board then many of them are going to go under or get closed by their affiliates because of the way the economy is going right now. Kinda sad to see so many companies going, companies that while they may not have shined yet, had potential to make an impact in the gaming world in one way or another. I mean look how small valve was when it made HL1 .... very small.

Ranteal
Ranteal

FIRST!!!! I AM KING!!!!!

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