Brash Entertainment Closes !

The games due out in ‘09 now up for grabs

by other developers & publishers

by XboxOZ360

©2008 Grant Smythe:

Brash Entertainment is another company to suffer at the hands of the heavy financial times that are upon not only the rest of the world, but now making its way into the gaming industry. Which usually weathers heavy financial downturns, but it seems some won’t be so lucky this time round. They are not alone, as many game developers and publishers are suffering, even the big boys like EA have had losses in excess of $US310mil in their last ‘08 quarter, and have had to shed 6% of its workforce.

Well last week we were going to publish an item explaining Brash Entertainments loss of 20 key staff (see quote-out below) plus the loss of the companies co-founder Thomas Tull as well as their chief creative officer Larry Shapiro certainly did not do them well with investors, who are touchy at the best of times. But all that seems somewhat mute now.

Even announcements as late as 24th October ‘08 Brash Entertainment were stating the SAW games would be heading our way next Halloween . . not any more.

This was followed by the companies’ President Nicholas Longano resignation due to extremely bad sales of their launch titles, followed by two further executive offers only recently, making investors especially nervious about their strong financial baking in the company.

But news just to hand from GameIndustry.biz now shows that huge investors willing to bankroll the besieged company to get back on its feet in this hard economic times, have decided to withdraw their support which was to the tune of $US400mil.

Effectively closing Brash Entertainments doors – for good.

Games such as the SAW series, which was due to come out next year and was just announced as safe from the company’s axe, has also now been cancelled as a result of the closure.

So those that were hanging out for that SAW trilogy, will need to start saying some late night prayers that some wise and prudent developers grabs the IP in order for the games to finally see the light of day. Which at this point looks very bleak indeed.

Shame, they would have been a great addition to the Survival Horror Genre’ games currently on the market, or due for release soon.

Last weeks news re loss of staff

Recently Brash Entertainment hit the headlines with mention of some games suffering due to the current world economic climate. on 7th November (8th Nov Syd time) they announced that 2o position would be dropped from the company giving the recent slipping global economic and a re-think on how they need to stay in business.

Not everything has gone well with them with recent movie titles either, so the estimated returns on movies such as Jumper, Alvin And The Chipmuks have not pulled in the desired returns needed. Little wonder, considering just HOW bad Jumper was in both the movie and the game.

Making cost-cutting measure a nessesity. However, they have stated that the games planned for “This-Gen” console and gaming platforms is going ahead,and one of those is SAW The Video Game.

They had planned to run the series of Saw into a game franchise, and announced the series early last year. But at least we now know the game is still on, and bound to create some interest in the survival Horro genre’ when it does ship sometime in 2009.

“Citing the current tough economic landscape, Brash Entertainment has confirmed the company has instituted a strategic cost reduction plan that will see the elimination of over 20 positions across multiple departments.

“Affected by this move will also be the closing of some open positions that the company had planned to fill this fiscal year. Employees affected by this action will receive severance and extended benefits.

“Brash Entertainment will continue to strategically work on its business including the upcoming release of Six Flags Fun Park for the Wii scheduled for this December, and a video game based on the Saw movie franchise for release in 2009.”

©2008 Grant Smythe:

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