Vivendi Universal Shuts Down Sierra
- June 22, 2004 10:20 AM PST
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Maker of already-forgotten games such as Kings Quest and Quest for Glory gets shut down.
PC gamers who played games back in the 80's received sad news yesterday--Vivendi Universal Games announced that it has cut 350 staff and shut down Seattle-based Sierra. The company was one of the most respected in the 80's and into the 90's, creating adventure games such as Kings Quest, Quest for Glory, Leisure Suit Larry, as well as Red Baron, Aces of the Pacific, and Aces Over Europe (from now defunct flight sim studio Dynamix). The brand will still exist in name only, with Sierra games Half-Life 2, Ground Control II and Tribes: Vengeance being developed by other teams within Vivendi. As a result of the restructuring, the Hoyle card game franchise has been cancelled."Restructuring the organization and reducing our cost base are necessary to improve our operating effectiveness and profitability," said VU Games CEO Bruce Hack, in as terse a manner as possible. "This constitutes another important step in our turnaround plan aimed to better position the company for growth."
Despite having to make substantial cuts to its workforce, VU Games expects strong sales for the second half of 2004 with Half-Life 2, World of Warcraft, and recently released The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.
