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Potential job losses are looming at Leamington Spa-based developer Radiant worlds, following the news that development will cease on current project SkySaga: Infinite Isles.
Radiant Worlds’ publisher, Korean-based Smilegate has, according to a news post on the front page of the Radiant Worlds website, has ordered that development of the creative sandbox PC game be halted for ‘an unknown period of time.’
This hiatus will drastically affect the company given that this is their only game in development. The contract to make the game has not been renewed and this has meant that there is no longer an ongoing source of income for the company.
The quote from the Radiant Worlds website reads: "This unfortunately means that all positions at Radiant Worlds are now under threat and we expect to shortly enter a period of consultation with all staff, which is likely to lead to a large number of redundancies across the board, potentially affecting everyone.
"The business has made every effort to negotiate an alternative outcome, but without success."
It sadly seems that this is not only a shock but a potentially destructive one too, according to quotes from Radiant Worlds executives. "We were extremely shocked and saddened to hear Smilegate’s decision," said CEO, Phillip Oliver. "We have been 100% dedicated to developing SkySaga for Smilegate for several years but since there is no prospect of obtaining enough replacement business within a realistic timeframe, we have been left with no option but to notify our staff of the intended consultancy period today."
"This is a terribly sad outcome after a fantastic four years of working on this amazing game, added CTO, Andrew Oliver We are incredibly proud of what the whole studio has created, and it’s hugely disappointing to us that none of them will get to follow up on that work and see the game through to a full commercial release, as they all deserve."
This might not be a total end for the company though. "We are all devastated at Smilegate’s decision but I can confirm that Radiant Worlds is in a strong financial position and has the ability to meet all of our statutory and contractual obligations to all staff and external suppliers," added chairman, Richard Smithies. "This is not an insolvency situation and we are totally committed to doing whatever we can to support everyone" involved.
Whatever happens, we wish all staff at Radiant Worlds the best.
