August 19, 2010 by Admin
Hundreds of jobs have been put at risk due to the recently announced bankruptcy of gaming firm Realtime Worlds. The company was first founded by the creator of Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto, and employs approximately two hundred and fifty people. It was once regarded as one of the largest players in the UK computer games market.
A few weeks ago, its most recent title (APB, an online role-playing game) was launched with little interest in the UK gaming market. The company’s administration has been announced following a decision by the UK government to cancel a tax break for the gaming industry.
Five years into development, APB is thought to have failed to draw in sufficient numbers of subscribers, and the game has suffered from mediocre reviews. Following the failed launch, sixty staff members have been made redundant from Realtime Worlds.
A spokesperson for administrators Begbies Traynor has commented: “We are currently involved in a consultative process with the 200 staff employed in Dundee. Our intention is to continue trading the company while we attempt to find a going concern buyer which will safeguard the future of the business. It is hoped that APB will be further developed in future by interested buyers.”
Realtime’s primary development centre is based in Dundee, while its parent companies and head office are located in Colorado in the US. 42 staff in the US will be employed by the administrators to assist in selling the business.
A spokesperson from Abertay University has commented on the recent events: “As the jewel in the crown of Dundee’s computer games development sector, Realtime Worlds epitomises the creativity and determination of the entire Scottish industry. It is unfortunate that market conditions have dictated this drastic step. We are ready to deploy all our resources, including the new games industry business support mechanism launched by the UK government last month, to support any new business structures which might appear during the administration process.”
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