NBA 2K11 News Post

NBA 2K11 Developer Visual Concepts Lays Off 30 Employees

06:08 PM - August 16, 2010 by Steve_OS

Before anyone blows a gasket, I've highlighted in bold, the important parts. Just remember, it is 30 people from Visual Concepts, not 30 from NBA 2K11, but I'm sure there were a few casualties. Either way, it's not good to see anyone lose their job.

Quote:


	"Visual Concepts, known best for its critically acclaimed NBA 2K series, has taken a hit over the last week, as the sports developer has lost around 30 employees. NBA 2K11 doesn't ship until October 5, but this staff reduction apparently won't hurt the game's progress, publisher 2K Sports has told us. After a source tipped us off that between 30-40 people were let go from Visual Concepts, IndustryGamers received confirmation from Alan Lewis, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Take-Two. "In order to properly align its resources with its current and future goals, and to continue to develop games as efficiently as possible, 2K Sports has eliminated approximately 30 positions at its Visual Concepts studio. These reductions will not affect 2K Sports� ability to create and deliver AAA titles, including its upcoming release of NBA 2K11," he said. We wish those affected the best of luck in quickly finding new employment."

Source - Industry Gamers

Game: NBA 2K11Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 108 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 Bornindamecca @ 08/16/10 06:13 PM

Sorry to hear this. Just stumbled upon this news while searching for free mac games. Good luck to all those who were laid off. Hope you guys bounce back quickly.

# 2 Majingir @ 08/16/10 06:16 PM

Maybe they spent so much time/money into making 2K11 better, they can't afford as much people working on games anymore lol.

The game should be almost developing shouldn't it? It's a month till demo time so I'd think that other than rosters and small things, game should be complete.

# 3 Steve_OS @ 08/16/10 06:18 PM

Just in case you guys didn't actually "read" the article.

-----------------

Before anyone blows a gasket, I've highlighted in bold, the important parts. Just remember, it is 30 people from Visual Concepts, not 30 from NBA 2K11, but I'm sure there were a few casualties.

# 4 dexvex @ 08/16/10 06:19 PM

Sorry to those who got laid off. This is why we have one of the ****tiest career paths there are. Job security is a f'n joke these days. Its times like this that im glad i work for such a small co.

# 5 DaveDQ @ 08/16/10 06:25 PM

Does anyone know how many employees VC houses?

# 6 Dice @ 08/16/10 06:31 PM

That's terrible. Especially in this economy. NBA 2K11 should be ok. Typically, games are normally done 2 months before release so NBA2K11 will be released as scheduled.

Well, I hope my man Mike Wang didn't get the ax.

# 7 SacKings1999 @ 08/16/10 06:39 PM

That's horrible. I thought 2k was experiencing record sales this past year. And I can only imagine 2k11 will sell like hot cakes. Oh well, I don't know too much about business- so they did what they have to do. But I still feel for those who lost their jobs- hope they find work soon and bounce back.

# 8 CMH @ 08/16/10 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intruda119


	Dont most big companies lay off people before games release? This happens alot when bulk of the work is done. Getting laidoff hurts but I think this is a usual thing

I believe you might be onto something here, though, I'm sure it's more complicated than that.

But, yes, video game companies will do this. Actually, lots of jobs do this. If the company hires extra people to get something done and that something is done then that company no longer needs those people.

Happens all the time in film and television. It's hard but I would think that most of the names expected that they would have to find new employment. Again, doesn't make it easy or ok, but makes it somewhat easier to know they should be all right.

# 9 Pared @ 08/16/10 06:46 PM

Sad this had to happen.

# 10 Mr_Riddick @ 08/16/10 06:48 PM

Sadly, that's what happens in every industry.

# 11 aloncho11 @ 08/16/10 07:10 PM

I'm sure they're very talented people who will find job positions at other companies. My best to all of them.

# 12 RayDog253 @ 08/16/10 07:15 PM

Wow, that's sad to hear. I wonder if this had anything to do with MJ. I always heard he was too expensive to be in games these days, but 2k made it happen.....

Nah, he couldn't of been that expensive.

# 13 youvalss @ 08/16/10 07:36 PM

30 people have lost their jobs. Unfortuantely, I can identify with that. Hope guys get back on track soon. Nobody likes to be jobless.

# 14 EmmittSmithx22x @ 08/16/10 07:37 PM

Interesting...But Hopefully, true to their word, it won't effect 2k11.

# 15 RubenDouglas @ 08/16/10 07:50 PM

That cant be good for attention to detail aspects.. Then again, the average Joe has been asked for photos of certain things by certain individuals to help aid in the development of the game over the past few years. So they've been short handed before with the asking of help by the fans. This blow will hurt them even more. If they needed help then, I can't imagine how much help they'd need now.

# 16 dexvex @ 08/16/10 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YankeePride


	I believe you might be onto something here, though, I'm sure it's more complicated than that. But, yes, video game companies will do this. Actually, lots of jobs do this. If the company hires extra people to get something done and that something is done then that company no longer needs those people. Happens all the time in film and television. It's hard but I would think that most of the names expected that they would have to find new employment. Again, doesn't make it easy or ok, but makes it somewhat easier to know they should be all right.

yea alot of programmers are freelancers and I'm sure alot of them knew b4 hand what was happening. But yea no matter what the economic climate is you should expect this if you're looking for a job in the games industry......

# 17 Valdarez @ 08/16/10 08:33 PM

Layoffs suck regardless of company. Completely demoralizing.

# 18 blues rocker @ 08/16/10 08:50 PM

this happens a lot in the game industry. companies hire people to work on a game, then when the game is done they lay them off because they don't need them anymore. seems strange that they'd lay off people now though, considering that 2k has been selling well.

# 19 bigeastbumrush @ 08/16/10 08:58 PM

Wonder if this is a result of the costs of adding MJ and NBA legends

It will always be about the bottom line in Corporate America. Don't get yourself fooled.

# 20 Complex @ 08/16/10 09:23 PM

What percentage of the workforce does this represent? Also, are these developer or G&A staff?

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