Harmonix ‘sheds up to 15% of staff’

As many as 35 staff at newly independent developer Harmonix have been made redundant, reports have claimed.

News site Joystiq understands that around “12 – 15 percent of the studio’s approximately 240-person staff has been affected” by a restructuring operation.

A Harmonix spokesperson wouldn’t confirm the number of people affected, though confirmed the company was in a transitional phase and “unfortunately, this means reducing the number of full-time staff”.

The Rock Band and Dance Central developer returned to its roots as an independent enterprise in December 2010. It was sold by media giant Viacom to a newly-founded company, Harmonix-SBE Holdings.

Now the Boston studio, which no longer has Viacom’s funding reserves to draw upon, is realigning its business plans.

The Joystiq report claimed Harmonix is still building DLC packs for both the Dance Central and Rock Band series. It is also said to be working on a new project for Nintendo’s 3DS.

“We sincerely appreciate the work of each and every one of these employees. Harmonix is working to ensure that those affected are well taken care of as we make this change," the spokesperson added.