NCsoft West Reorganization Continues in European Offices

[Cody Bye]

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A variety of news has been spreading across the Internet this morning regarding NCsoft West and their continuing drive towards reorganizing their staff in the North American and European territories. While some outlets have reported rather dire news coming out of the European offices, Ten Ton Hammer has been informed that this is not the case. Here's the official statement from NCsoft West officials:

In order to solidify and streamline company operations across all NCsoft West territories, we are implementing some structural changes this week which will impact 70 to 90 employees. We are working with these employees to determine the best fit for approximately 80 alternate positions within the company.

The European office is transitioning to have a stronger focus in marketing and sales, with many of the existing disciplines being consolidated in our studios on the US West Coast and our headquarters in Seattle. Additionally, we are transitioning to an embedded quality assurance (QA) model in which the QA staff works in our studios directly with the development teams, providing support throughout the entire development process.

This finalizes the NCsoft West reorganization plan which began last September, and the resulting structure will better support the company’s direction.

While there are a number of employees that will be affected by this change, it's readily apparent from the official statement that these employees are being offered similar jobs in positions across the pond. This may not be the best option for many of these individuals, but this is far from a straight lay off. On top of that, it sounds like none of the games that are currently being developed in US offices are being affected, namely Guild Wars 2, Aion, and Carbine Studios' upcoming MMO.

Stay calm folks. NCsoft West is sticking around for awhile.

[Shuttler]

I saw this article hit massively early today then crop up here too. It seems to be the topic of the day!

You say it like it's not that big a deal. The fact is that NCSoft have not offered everyone jobs like they are claiming. Also offering people in the UK jobs in the US is a sure fire way to get out of certain personnel legalities. These people have family and job in the UK and certainly can't all take these positions (not that they have all been offered them) so it's kinda a loop hole really.

Also it's terrible that EU gamers get shafted like this constantly with community relations. NCSoft europe were always so giving with their support and two way interaction. Sony don't give us the time of day and it seems that NCSoft wont be now either.

It really is 'a straight lay-off' NCSoft aren't reporting how it really is.

I feel sad for these lovely people who have many times welcomed us brits in to their offices and gaming events and email us on a day to day basis to keep us up to date on the community and our games. Great people doing a great job, axed in an instant.

[RadarX]

I was pretty shocked myself after all the ramping up they did over the last year or so. With Europe being the largest gaming market after the US, it would make sense to have a large presence over there if nothing else for localization. However with their financials I can't honestly say I'm surprised at this move.

Their core market has always been Asia and I honestly believe they will retract even more than they have in the near future.

[kitsunegirl]

The redundancy cutting of NC Soft, though isnt going to affect Aion7s release.

http://www.aionsource.com/forum/gene...tml#post280545