Midlands gaming sector in shock as Blitz Games shuts down
LEAMINGTON SPA gaming company Blitz Games Studios has shut down with the loss of 175 jobs.
The video games maker was one of the ‘poster boys’ of the West Midlands’ seemingly burgeoning gaming sector and was known for many popular titles, including high profile tie-ins such as Shrek, Spongebob Squarepants and Mickey Mouse.
But company co-founder Philip Oliver said the business was unsustainable and had been struggling for several years.
Some 50 members of staff will be kept on to work on unfinished projects. It is likely another company will be set up to take control of these projects.
Blitz was set up in 1990 by twins Philip and Andrew Oliver.
It was perhaps best known for the Dizzy series of games it published in collaboration with Codemasters, where the brothers worked prior to setting up their own studio.
According to a statement issued by Blitz, every effort was made to keep the company afloat including seeking outside investment but it has been unable to secure enough funds to sustain the business in its current form.
It is understood Oxford-based developer Rebellion is in talks with Blitz management to potentially hire some its staff.
Philip Oliver, Blitz’s CEO, said: “We have managed to weather numerous storms over the last two decades that have sadly seen the demise of many of our friends and colleagues across the industry, but the run of problems we’ve had to face over the last year is unlike any we’ve seen before.
“Frustrations with clients, the global economic crisis, and more than our fair share of simple bad luck have all conspired against us and we are no longer able to continue trading.”
Leamington has become the centre of the West Midlands’ gaming industry which regional business chiefs had highlighted as one of the region’s key growth sectors.
