Harmonix suffers 'small number' of layoffs, gains BioShock 2 lead designer

Harmonix has released a small number of employees, just as it brings on BioShock 2 lead designer Zak McClendon as its design director.

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Harmonix has gone through transitions today. The developer behind Rock Band and Dance Central has confirmed a small number of employees were let go, just as news hit that the studio had hired Zak McClendon, lead designer of BioShock 2.

"We can confirm that a small number of Harmonix employees were let go today," a Harmonix spokesperson told Polygon. "This decision was made due to shifting staffing priorities for Harmonix's multiple future projects." A source claims that the layoffs impacted 10 employees in all, and were typical of a development cycle drawing down. The company recently stopped development of both Rock Band and Dance Central DLC.

This came just as Superannuation noted that McClendon's LinkedIn profile now lists his title as "Design Director" at Harmonix. Michelle Mangio, formerly of Turbine, also started at Harmonix this week as director of quality assurance.

The picture of Harmonix's next game is still fuzzy, but getting clearer. We know that as of August, the company was seeking a combat designer, and next-gen job listings called for skill at telling an emotional story. Both of those seem up McClendon's alley from BioShock 2. Harmonix has three projects, and recently received venture capital from The Foundry Group.

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    April 23, 2013 1:00 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Harmonix suffers 'small number' of layoffs, gains BioShock 2 lead designer.

    Harmonix has released a small number of employees, just as it brings on BioShock 2 lead designer Zak McClendon as its design director.

    • reply
      April 23, 2013 3:07 PM

      I have been super excited to see whatever it is they're cooking up, ever since they started teasing it.

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        April 23, 2013 7:13 PM

        What have they been saying? I keep wondering what they'll do post-Rock Band.

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      April 23, 2013 3:07 PM

      Lead designer of BioShock 2 -- Is that... a benefit?

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        April 23, 2013 6:56 PM

        Don't be a jerk.

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          April 23, 2013 7:39 PM

          Did you play Bioshock 2? Not sure what needed a designer there since it was a completely uninspired carbon copy of the first.

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          April 23, 2013 7:46 PM

          Is that being a jerk?
          I found nothing inspiring, interesting, or impressive about BioShock 2, the things I'd expect a Lead Designer to make happen. It was functional.

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      April 23, 2013 3:10 PM

      My tracker still puts John T Drake in the air, so he must still be working there.

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        April 23, 2013 6:57 PM

        He definitely is. Still Diet Coking it up.

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