Call of Duty: Strike Team studio to close by the end of March

The Blast Furnace, the Leeds-based mobile developer behind titles such as Call of Duty: Strike Team, will close at the end of the month, says Activision.

While Activision is actively trying to place the 47 staff members in other ares of the company, the staff still faced redundancy.

"Having explored a range of options, including a potential sale of the business, and consulted with the staff about the options, we have not been able to find a suitable alternative for the talented team in the timescales set by the consultation exercise and have agreed to close The Blast Furnace," an Activision spokesperson told MCV.

"Although we have reached the end of the main consultation exercise we shall continue to work with the leadership team to explore options for these highly skilled individuals within Activision and its related organisations. Additionally, we will be offering a number of tools and resources, including outplacement counselling services, to those who are impacted."

The development team, which includes former Rockstar and Team 17 veterans, was formed in 2011 and was responsible for mobile titles based on Pitfall and Wipeout.

In January, Activision announced it was in the process of conducting an staff consultation process in order to “develop a plan that will enable them to remain as a team."