Lionhead confirms lay-offs, issues new statement

Lionhead Studios has confirmed it is letting go of staff. The studio has issued a statement on the matter, stressing that this kind of action is normal after studios complete projects. Read it in full below.

The statement - issued to IGN - reads:

“Following the completion of Fable: The Journey the Lionhead studio is in the process of beginning work on its next projects. As is common in the games industry, a reduced headcount is needed as projects kick-off and ramp up as development gets underway."

"At this time a very small number of positions have been identified as at risk of redundancy and the affected employees were notified today. We are working very closely with those people during this difficult time, to help them explore alternative opportunities within Microsoft including new roles at Microsoft Studios which is actively hiring.”

Develop has also reported that only 10% of the studio's payroll wil be affected, and that staff likely to go will be laid off before the end of 2012. Microsoft has also confirmed that 100 new roles will be created and filled across the UK in 2013.

You can read Lionhead's previous statement on the matter here.

What do you think? Is this a result of Fable: The Journey's poor critical reaction, or could the studio be reshuffling its deck as it goes into the new project? Let us know below.