Earlier this year staff was cut at Black Rock, the devs behind awesome racing games like Pure and Split/Second. Now we have learned that the studio is closing.
Black Rock Studios fell under the Disney Interactive umbrella. An anonymous source told Eurogamer that Disney handled Black Rock clumsily, and that they were outsourcing games to other companies that the Brighton studio was more than capable of producing. The same source was also disappointed in the lack of advertising for Pure and Split/Second.
Here’s the official statement from Disney:
Disney Interactive Studios confirms that Black Rock Studios’ current project has not been greenlit for further development, consequently the company informed employees yesterday of the intent to enter a consultation process on the proposal to close the studios.
Before you fellow racing fans cry, know that a new studios are forming as a result of this closing. There’s Roundcube Entertainment, lead by Split/Second director Nick Baynes, and ShortRound Games, formed by a four other Black Rock department directors.
