Disney has announced large-scale game development and support staff cuts to LucasArts.
LucasArts will retain a small staff, but Disney will now begin licensing production on future gaming titles out to other developers.
Picture from the Star Wars 1313
A Disney spokesperson said: “After evaluating our position in the games market, we’ve decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company’s risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games.
“As a result of this change, we’ve had layoffs across the organisation. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles.”
Disney’s change to the Star Wars gaming model has led to work being stopped on the highly-anticipated Star Wars 1313 for the time being, as originally rumoured in February.
Development on Star Wars: First Assault has also been halted in response to the large-scale layoffs.
The Lego Star Wars franchise is expected to continue under the guidance of the remaining staff.
The announcement comes mere months after Disney purchased Lucasfilms in a massive $4.05 billion (£2.5bn) deal.
LucasArts was formed in 1982 and has since released highly lucrative games based on Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Labyrinth.
I was really looking forward to Star Wars 1313, were you looking forward to this game or any other games from LucasArts?
I’m waiting for old republic and all Lego star wars products to go 🙁