Pandemic No More

On Friday morning, it was announced to team Bravo that Pandemic was going to be focusing on the other team’s game and our team was cut. A number of people moved across onto the other team, however a number were let go.

I am one of the ones let go. 

For some people that was a bit shocking; I’ve been at Pandemic for over 5 years, and in that time shipped two games, and worked on two games that got cancelled.  But I can’t fault the decisions made about who stayed and who got let go.  The thing is, the people that stayed and the people that were let go are all excellent game developers. It wasn’t because anyone wasn’t performing well, and it wasn’t because the team had had a previous project cancelled. It was a cost cutting measure that had to be done. Now you might be thinking that EA is some evil corporation for buying us and then letting people go.  But really, if EA had not bought Pandemic they would probably be much worse off.  But I feel that a lot was done to make room for a few people even thought they weren’t completely needed, so it could have been a lot worse.

I have no hard feelings against Pandemic, or EA.  We make games, and it’s a business. Sometimes that means crap like this has to happen. I have had an awesome time at Pandemic, and it’s been an honour to work with so many talented people over the years. And I really mean that, I have learnt alot and I wouldn’t be the same without it. To others that were let go, I wish you well in your search for new employment, and it’s been awesome. To the rest of Pandemic, it’s been awesome and I wish you well, and perhaps we will work together again some time. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

PS. Just to stop any bad rumours, the Bravo team was not cut because of bad performance or anything like that. Contrary to rumours before, the previous project was not cut due to anything to do with the team, it was an external decision.  The current project was cancelled due to the other project being more important.