Late Night Consoling

The day after EA's Alain Tascan (on behalf of his company) made clear its disapproval with certain Ubisoft employee policies, word started getting around that EA had let go of a large number of employees from several of its studios. Reports from developers early in the day ranged anywhere from layoffs at one studio all the way to rumors that upwards of a thousand staffers had been fired worldwide.

As it stands, the most recent information gathered from official sources seems to be that EA has undergone a staff reduction of about 5%. EA's website indicates the company's employees worldwide to number 6,100, which would put the number of layoffs at about 300, but it is likely 6,100 is a conservative figure. EA noted being in a "transitional period" as one reason for the decision. Several developers, speaking anonymously, suggested that the move may have come as a result of highly staffed projects such as The Godfather nearing completion. Interestingly, the Redwood Shores studio, frequently cited as one of the main studios hit by the layoffs, currently has 65 open job positions, many of which are in development.

Official response from EA was not yet available at press time.

Europe has had to wait a few months for SCEI's Shadow of the Colossus (PS2), released last October in North America, but it looks like Sony is trying to make up for it with a bevy of special features shipping with the game. The company sent out a press release revealing all the details, such as cardboard packaging including four postcards with scenes from the game as well as exclusive interviews detailing the game's development. Most impressively, PlayStation.com will be hosting a contest themed around the game: entrants submit designs for an original colossus. Creator Fumito Ueda will select the winner, who will then receive a "once in a lifetime trip for two to Nepal." (I couldn't find any sign of the contest there yet.) Shack artists, get to work.

Sony has also launched an official website for the PAL release. The game will launch February 17, which surely not coincidentally is the same date as the European re-release of Ico (PS2), which had a notoriously low initial print run in Europe. Both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus come from designer Ueda and his team, and both games have been widely praised for their minimalist yet exceedingly expressive and atmospheric design.

DVD information site The Digital Bits reported that Square Enix's CGI feature length film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will most likely be released in the United States this year. His information came from Michael Stradford, an executive at Sony's DVD division, so it's likely legimitate. While the "by the end of 2006" date is sure to be disheartening to some eager Final Fantasy fans, it's at least a step up from the previous silence about the film's stateside release. The delayed release apparently has to do with the time required "to work with the director to get all the supplemental elements finished."

The official web page for Q Entertainment's Ninety-Nine Nights (X360) has been updated with a new release date for Japan. The Dynasty Warriors-esque story-driven action title will launch April 20. There is not yet any word of a North American release date, but as the game is being published by Microsoft Game Studios one might assume the North American date shouldn't lag too badly behind.

The game is designed by Q Entertainment founder Tetsuya Mizuguchi and co-developed by Phantagram of Kingdom Under Fire fame. Mizugichi recently designed Lumines (PSP) and produced Meteos (DS) with Q. He is also responsible for oft-praised games such as Rez (PS2, DC) and Space Channel 5 (DC). Ninety-Nine Nights represents something of a change from Mizuguchi's work in recent years, opting for more of a traditional action packed experience rather than the more esoteric titles he has become known for, most of which make use of systems which integrate music and gameplay in unusual fashions.

GameSpot has a designer diary for Bigbig Studios' Pursuit Force (PSP).

Game Informer speaks to Criterion's Alex Ward about Black (PS2, Xbox) and the Burnout franchise.