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Activision’s Leeds-based mobile developer will close by the end of the month, the publisher has said.
The Blast Furnace’s 47 staff face redundancy, although the company has told us that it is seeking new homes for some of the employees.
Activision revealed in January it was ‘exploring options’ for the studio and expressed a desire to keep the developer together – including a possible sale.
"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 studio is best known for creating last year’s smartphone title Call of Duty: Strike Team, but it has also created mobile titles based on Pitfall and Wipeout. It was one of two UK studios Activision owns, the other being Leamington Spa-based FreeStyle Games.
"We would like to note that The Blast Furnace has been a great partner to Activision and we thank them for all of their efforts.
"The UK remains a key market for Activision. The company remains a leading video game employer in the country with its UK headquarters based in Stockley Park."
The Blast Furnace was set up in 2011 in Leeds featuring development veterans from Rockstar and Team 17 amongst others. It released its first game, Pitfall, in August 2012.
