Microsoft Lays Off Staff and Cancels Microsoft Flight and Kinect Projects

[Shawn Zipay]

Microsoft has confirmed that a number of employees have been laid off from their Vancouver based studio. The studio was responsible for Microsoft Flight and other projects and if you're a Flight fan, you may want to sit down for this.

Both Microsoft Flight and Project Columbia, a Kinect project targeted at children have both seen their developments come to a close.


Official statement from Microsoft

Microsoft Studios is always evaluating its portfolio of products to determine what is best for gamers, families and the company, and this decision was the result of the natural ebb and flow of our portfolio management. Many factors were considered in the difficult decision to stop development on "Microsoft Flight" and "Project Columbia," but we feel it will help us better align with our long-term goals and development plans. For "Microsoft Flight," we will continue to support the community that has embraced the title and the game will still be available to download for free at http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/.

This marks the third major blow to the Vancouver game industry just this month alone. First was when the Rockstar Vancouver (Max Payne 3) studio closed up shop and moved to Toronto. Last week saw Capcom laying off 20 employees from their Vancouver based studio.

(via)

[nemes1s3000]

Microsoft..? MICROSOFT..?

[K-16]

Damn it. I was hoping Microsoft would add an air traffic controller feature with simplified controls to be one (aligning with Flight's new style versus Simulator). Its absence was the reason why I didn't want to join in just yet. Now I don't even get to see the possibility...