Here is a quote from Matt Smith, the Microsoft Game Studio developer responsible for the ball physics in Links 2004. This is from the Xbox forums:
No, the team didn't get whacked, but yes, some people who worked on 2004 were let go.
It wasn't a product based decision. It was a studio-wide business decision.
Overall, the Links team lost very few people, although everyone on the team had a big hand in getting this project out the door and those people are going to be difficult to replace.
For those of you who have followed Links for a long time, I think it would be interesting to know that a large number of people who worked on Links 2004 worked on Links under Access Software. I firmly believe that's part of the reason the game is as good as it is.
Some of you may also know the Game Designer from way back in the day: Mark McArthur. He has been with Access Software/Links since the dawn of time it seems. He was given the huge task of re-inventing Links on the XBox, and I really believe he did a fantastic job.
Anyway, just thought I'd let you know that the future of Links is still alive and kicking. The core of the team is still here and we're all excited about the way 2004 turned out and are eagerly looking forward to the next version of Links.
Null (aka Matt Smith)
Here is a follow up quote from Daryl Welsh, group program manager on all three games I mentioned above:
To follow-up on Matt's (Null's) response and to correct the misinformation from penny-arcade, we did not let half the studio go. There were other internal projects that were cancelled during the year that did not lose the people assigned right away. We kept them on board to help supplement the folks already working on Amped, Links and Top Spin.
We have great people on our projects going forward. People that are passionate about delivering much further on these great games then we did this time around.
Our studio in Salt Lake does not do the Football game (it is done in Redmond), so I can't speak to the issue of people there.
You always hear something different from the people who have jobs and the people who don’t have jobs anymore. I certainly did not mean to imply that the future of these franchises was in jeopardy. In fact I was told that these three titles will be the focus of the studio going forward. Since they are concentrating on just a few titles they didn’t need as many people. The fact of the matter is those people that got let go still need jobs and my post was intended to help them out.
On a side note, I think this is the first time anyone has ever used the word “misinformation” when talking about something we posted here. I find it very exciting to think that I am spreading misinformation. I may move up to half-truths next and then eventually onto wild speculation.
-Gabe out
