Atari Staff Strike Over Job Cuts

Staff at Eden Games, the developer based in Lyon, France, went on strike today in protest against job losses and "mismanagement" by parent company, Atari. In a series of cuts, the Test Drive Unlimited 2 studio is set to lose a possible 51 out 80 staff.

An anonymous software engineer from the Test Drive Unlimited 2 developer statement to Gamasutra , called today a "symbolic day strike". Eden Games criticised Atari’s numerous leadership changes and the company’s focus on free-to-play titles and MMOs, claiming this left more "traditional" studios like themselves, out in the cold.

During the one day strike, Eden Games expects to "communicate and interact with the CEO, Jim Wilson, who has never introduced himself to his employees."

Apparently, negotiations began two weeks ago, but the group says "Atari doesn’t seem ready to move from their position at the moment. That’s why we decided to start this strike."

Layoffs are expected to hit in June.

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