Though Realtime Worlds was struggling and still looking for a buyer, the studio has announced that all 50 remaining employees have been let go. This follows news of Realtime’s gangland MMO, APB, being shut down yesterday after only three months of operation. There was hope that another buyer would come forward to purchase the company, but employees were told on Thursday that no help was coming.
Seven staffers are operating on a temporary basis to close out all existing services on APB. This marks the fourth and final round of layoffs since July of this year. The second round cut the MyWorld staff, though that project was recently purchased by an anonymous buyer. The third round happened when the company entered administration, with nearly 170 employees being cut.
Epic Games is reportedly interested in picking up APB, but any talks are happening behind closed doors.
Develop is reporting that hundreds of ex-Realtime staff members have called out administration firm Begbies Traynor for lack of redundancy pay. In response the firm said, “Redundancy payment will be made in accordance with current U.K. legislation.” Begbies Trayner also confirmed that the U.S. branch would “likely apply for Chapter 7 protection.”
Realtime Worlds and APB now stand as another cautionary tale in the industry. IndustryGamers hopes the developers involved have all landed on their feet.
