Split/Second dev Black Rock closing

When Split/Second developer Black Rock Studio was stripped down to only forty people with massive layoffs in May, its future looked anything but bright bright. Today, owner Disney Interactive Studios confirmed the inevitable--it plans to shut the English developer down entirely.

Black Rock's Split/Second and Pure

"Disney Interactive Studios confirms that Black Rock Studio's current project has not been greenlit for further development, consequently the company informed employees yesterday of the intent to enter a consultation process on the proposal to close the studios," Disney said in a statement provided to Eurogamer.

Disney bought Black Rock, then named Climax Racing, from Climax Group in 2006. The studio released racers Pure and Split/Second under Disney.

An anonymous source speaking to Eurogamer in the wake of the closure has claimed that Disney under-used Black Rock, outsourcing games that it could have developed. The source also blamed DIS for advertising Pure and Split/Second poorly.

One group of former Black Rock employees hit by the May layoffs went on to form ShortRound Games, whilst another pair founded Roundcube Entertainment. Best of luck to everyone down there in Brighton who's been affected by this.