THQ's assets were divided up and auctioned off today to various bidders, spelling the end once and for all of the game publisher. Sales of studios and properties included:
- Sega acquired Vancouver-based Relic
- Koch Media acquired Volition and Metro: Last Light
- Crytek acquired Homefront
- Take 2 acquired Evolve after outbidding the game's original developer
Employees of other THQ studios which were not sold off during this auction were informed today that their positions were at an end.
From an RPG enthusiast standpoint, the most significant transaction (which I omitted from the list above) was the acquisition by Ubisoft of both THQ Montreal and South Park: The Stick of Truth, apparently over the objections of South Park Studios. I can't exactly say I'm thrilled at the idea, given Ubisoft's rather negative reputation and their tendency to employ overly restrictive DRM. And I would imagine that the game will be held up somewhat as Ubisoft and South Park Studios hash out some sort of agreement...or get caught up in lengthy litigation. Hopefully the delay won't have a negative impact on Obsidian Entertainment.
As has become the norm, game developers at other studios (and the recruiting departments at those studios) have been flooding Twitter using the #THQjobs hashtag, offering those let go from various THQ studios employment in a variety of positions. The volatility of employment within the game development industry is definitely a negative, but it's wonderful to see how there is a lot of mutual respect and support between the staff of competing studios. Hopefully, most of those let go by THQ can find employment elsewhere in the industry...and the industry is certainly doing its part to assist with that. It's nice to see.
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