Funcom takes the axe to U.S. office

The pink slips are coming in thick and fast recently in the industry and according to as of yet unconfirmed sources Funcom are letting two thirds of the staff (approximately 60 people) in the U.S. offices go, mainly it is quality assurance and customer service. Given the state and popularity of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures it is no surprise that the company cuts down in these departments.

After what must be described as a fairly successful launch the Norwegian MMO has found itself in hot water as players soon discovered there was very little content to plow through. Players left and have not returned to the MMO, and with the launches of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King it doesn't look like they will return anytime soon. Seen in this light the cutbacks are only a natural outcome of the problems they have had with Age of Conan.

There are no news of cutbacks in development at Funcom and according to the latest financial report work on their next major MMO The Secret World as well as two casual MMO's is progressing according to plan. Funcom plan to start PR and community activities on The Secret World early in 2009, while an expansion for Age of Conan is planned for Q4 2009. However the financial report did not mention the previously announced Xbox 360 version of Age of Conan - The Secret World remains in development for both PC and Xbox 360.

Funcom has been under pressure from the stock exchange lately as the stock is today valued at less than 10 % of the value at the Age of Conan launch in May. However, the company looks in good health and turned a profit in Q3 according to their latest financial report.