Activision and Neversoft hit with lay-offs, NS done with GH

**Trexxen** · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 116

First and foremost, my most heartfelt condolences to you guys over at Neversoft. Way back when GH3 was released, and everyone was BAAAWWWW-ing and buying WAAAHmbulances over how the series was going to fail spectacularly, I still liked Guitar Hero and felt none of the bias towards either side that I feel has become so saturated into our community. So when GH5 came out and made (almost) everyone happy, well, I could have said "I told you so" to a great many people. From someone that always believed in you guys, you fucking rock. Good luck and godspeed guys.

As for Kotick, be honest about two things, people. One, no boycott is going to phase him. Worst case scenario, only a few people actually do it (which is likely - point two coming soon =P), and he still makes asstons of money. Best case, GH sells abysmally after 6...and the franchise gets canceled. Bittersweet victory...oh wait, nope, he still has tons of other franchises, PLUS Blizzard, to make wads of cash off of. So we succeed in canceling GH and nothing more. Secondly, are you REALLY going to boycott the games, or are you just boycotting them until they announce that one song you really like? The L4D2 boycott is a good example - it basically got shut down once the game actually came out and was good. Internet boycotts almost NEVER work.

Just my two cents, though. Maybe you guys will somehow get Kodick fired...good luck. =P

~Trexxen

**smileymaster** · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 300 Location: Pennsylvania

Edit:after some thought, these seem somewhat ridiculous.This one feels appropriate, however.

You can put these under the "actual miscellaneous", I guess, voided.
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**Cyberwaste** · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 2:02 am Post subject:

...Boycotts won't get anyone very far. One goes under, Kotick has something else to fall back on... And he has a LOT to go through before he truly feels vulnerable. Also, as Trexxen said, a boycott would be useless. a MW2 PC one was planned, didn't work. A L4D2 one was planned, didn't happen. GH one seems to be in the works, it'll fall through. Sure, Kotick is a right bastard, but whinging and stamping your feet won't change anything.

Also, all you people pulling the oversaturation card as being the cause; grow up. Just drop it FOR ONCE. Just read this post and rethink what you're going to say, because now is not the time. (I know, I'm rehashing words from a couple of pages back, I just don't want the point to be lost)
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psxfreak101 wrote:

But seriously I hate this country when it comes to my beloved hobby of presing buttons on a controller and making shit on my TV follow my every command.

**Megashot** · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 520 Location: Atlanta, GA

**yksi-kaksi-kolme** · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 2803 Location: philly skramzzzz

If RedOctane is gone, does that mean GH6 will have no new instruments? Oh well. All I wish for is for Neversoft to make a mind-blowing, ass-kicking GH6 to give a humongous fucking middle finger to Activision. After that... who's to say what'll happen

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My Accomplishments - GH | RB || My Youtube Channel || My Customs

**TheSoundDefense** · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 245

**TerminX13** · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 991

Condolences for everyone affected.. And good luck with GH6, Nev. I've always liked your work, even if anyone else hadn't.. Lets see you guys make GH6 just as pantsshitting as I know you guys can. Good luck with your lives afterward.

...And about this Kotick guy, wtf? After what I've heard.. It's just unreal, man
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Twitter | Trollbean | RateYourMusic | Hummingbird
Accomplishments:
RB (Latest: 25 or 6 to 4)
GHL (Latest: GHL FGFC)

Greatest canine ever to play the plastic guitar

**DoubleDs** · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 312

To those from NS who have been hit with layoffs...good luck.

Unfortunately, the gaming industry in general is getting hit pretty hard right now. Reminds me of last year when about 12% of the industry got laid off, as has been the trend over the last few years.

By choosing this industry, you have put yourself in an unstable situation. Fortunately, with your experience (not just with NS, but with programming, art & animation, game design, production, and quality assurance) you should be able to replace a good percentage of your income.

Not to make your layoffs sound unimportant, but I feel much worse for the people in this country who have no skills and will have a much harder time finding employment in this economy.

I guess what I'm trying to say is....It could be worse, you could have no education or skills working at a fast food restaurant to make ends meet. Just don't suck up all the unemployment, I might want some if I get laid off this year.
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SackScratch wrote:

Too all the people saying i wonder who is going to FC this pack first blah blah. I HONESTlY dont think anyone is going to be able to FC RD and its going to be very hard to FC ogap in my opionon.

**yakityyakblah** · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 3985

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.

Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it badly,
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you'll never change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.

**dr00bles** · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 586 Location: New York

While I'm terribly upset to learn of all these layoffs, the businessman in me can't help but empathize with Activision regarding their decision. It's a tough time for any company, and I'm sure this move was based solely on their concern about financial figures on the bottom line. And you know what? That's okay. At they end of the day, they're a business, with investors, sales figures, and difficult decisions to make day in and day out.

I remain optimistic about the future of rhythm games. It's in Activision's best interest to provide quality products, and frankly, I feel they've gotten better with each installment. I have trust in their decision and will expect future games - GH6 and beyond - to continue to innovate and raise the bar for rhythm gaming.

That said, it's important to recognize what we're losing. Hats off to Neversoft for helping to establish one of the greatest and most storied franchises in gaming history.
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My accomplishment thread

**richjohnny** · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 2421 Location: Perth, Australia

RedOctane make the instruments and do the online distribution, so if they go, we may not only have no instruments, but no DLC either.

Homosexual.
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The Living End and Barenaked Ladies...need moar of them in GH or RB!!

**PlexShaw** · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 332 Location: London, UK

Erm... it's already been established that RedOctane are safe (for now).

Quote from earlier in the thread...

**TheSoundDefense** · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 245

**jesse0986** · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:41 am Post subject:

Like others have said, I don't think it's fair to pin this on Activision. It's just business, and whether you agree with his ideas or not, that CEO did the exact same thing practically every other successful CEO in the country would have done. Regardless of whether or not Neversoft did anything to lose that money, the fact was that they were losing money. It sucks for all parties involved but it's a necessary evil of the business world.

My condolences to those SH members who served Neversoft. If it's any consolation, SpoonMan made a highly overlooked point--if you're talented, your search for work will not be very long. Good luck.

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Signatures are overrated. Like pants.

**BigFatBob** · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 1389 Location: Big Spring, TX

.......................................

From GH:WT to now, all I ever did was bitch at Neversoft because BAWWW DEY DIDN'T DO THIS RIGHT or WHAAAAAAAA THIS IS BROKEN or WTF I WANT MY <insert>. Now, in light of what's happening, I feel like the biggest asshole on the face of the earth. Never once did I stop to think that in spite of all my complaining, I still bought pretty much every game they shelled out because underneath my nagging cynicism I still thoroughly enjoyed everything they did. This may only be coming from one guy, but seriously, I'm sorry for giving you guys so much shit in the past. You guys didn't deserve any of it, and you especially don't deserve what's happening now.

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FL4RE wrote:

Wow I didn't realize that wasn't a word used in the U.S commonly...having read over what I wrote before, I am in fact not encouraging you people to fuck slags, STD's are bad.