[Update: Jaffe has responded to today's news, confirming that layoffs were had, but addressing talk of casual development by saying, "I have zero plans to make games like FARMVILLE and ANGRY BIRDS. I never said what I was doing post TM ... I will be opening a game studio here in San Diego because I really miss internal game development. Happy to share more details later."]
Eat Sleep Play is the latest studio to be hit by the, "develop big game, kill off a bunch of jobs" phenomenon. The Twisted Metal developer has lost eight employees to continue with a staff of 26, and it would appear that even the infamous David Jaffe is leaving.
The studio will be sticking to iPad and iPhone games in the future, with co-founder Scott Campbell calling the move "pretty exciting" and looking forward to "reaching a lot more people." Even so, it looks like a step down for a team that's got a major PS3 exclusive on the horizon.
As for Jaffe? There's talk of him going into the casual games market, but he has said on Twitter that such rumors are "highly exaggerated" and they won't be casual games "as you know them." He has, so far, said nothing else beyond that.
Whatever happens, there's something fundamentally wrong with this industry where things like this happen so regularly.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
7:54 AM on 02.07.2012 | 
I don't care if it's an old meme D':
To lay some staff off after a huge title is increasingly common, and whilst it might sound fair, if there's nothing for the extra workforce to do, there's no point in having them around.
Though, maybe, I'm saying that because I know people in animation, who are contracted for large projects and are laid off in much the same way. Frustrating, but sensible finacial practice.
*financial
Clearly, I haven't had my coffee. HERP DERP.
Also, as much as I dislike Jaffe, I begrudgingly admit that he makes kickass "core" games and seeing him go into the casual market seems like kind of a waste.
Now people of this generation think it's fine practice to create a disposable work force.
I'm assuming Jaffe left on his own after all these layoffs etc, they said they were going to Mobile games (which are low cost to make and rake in a bundle because you can do so many of them in no time) and he didn't want in part in that. Even if Jaffe just sticks to making PSN type games, that should be fine since he'll probably still go big with those. Some PSN games have been incredible so I don't doubt he'll be doing some great work on that end.
Not saying there was no reason for them to do it or that their hand wasn't forced from a business angle; just, if we're going to rush to inject understanding of the situation when layoffs happen, why not let the ones who were fired be the ones who benefit from it, instead of the studio? They're going to be just fine. The guys who were fired get to go look for jobs with no certainty they'll find one, especially not in a still-depressed economy.
Just sayin'.
Is it possible that these layoffs might just be temp workers who were hired on for one or two projects and then let go?
Intrigued to see what Jaffe does next and I'm sure that despite the "recession" the fact that videogames is such a rapidly expanding industry right should mean anyone who can put EatSleepPlay and Twisted Metal on their CV (resume) shouldn't have too many problems grabbing another gig.
As we all know games tend to take a lot of "finishing" over the first year of release. Not to mention future DLC!
Mr Jaffe and devs that lost their jobs, I truly am sorry for your likely negative experiences throughout this whole situation. I hope you continue to make great games that keep my fingers mashing buttons.
We all saw what happened with a Jaffe-less Twisted Metal 3 and 4. Well, my wife and I were super excited for the return of one of our favorite franchises of all time, but maybe we got *too* excited :-(
Maybe they saw something happening within Sony that Jaffe came to see as well.
Kind of sad this has happened to part of the team responsible for Warhawk. Could they not have put them to work on a Vita version or something? Spend some money Sony, your studios need stimulating!!
What the fuck? Why is David Jaffe leaving? I thought he enjoyed working with Sony and Eat Sleep Play.
What does this mean for the game ready for release next week?
@balloonFighter: Once again ESP is not part of sony go read Jaffe's twitter.
Yah but Jaffe was one of Sonys golden boys.