THQ UK team killed off as Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team arrives

by Steven Mostyn - Jul 15 2011, 08:12

If you’re a Warhammer fan currently enjoying the delights of new downloadable game Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team, spare a thought for its Warrington-based developer THQ UK, which has just been shuttered.

Founded in 2003 and formerly known as Juice Games, the studio made its name via arcade racing series Juice, which, despite selling in excess of five million units, didn’t provide enough momentum to ensure the studio’s future.

The closure of THQ UK leaves some 36 team members looking for fresh work, striving to become industry entrepreneurs, or, in the case of studio boss Colin Bell, taking a sabbatical.

“THQ have done all they can through the consultancy period and have treated staff with respect,” commented Bell in a Develop report.

“I’ve definitely been proud to have been involved in setting up and running the studio and have no regrets,” he added. “I’ve also been proud to work for THQ. We’ve provided around 400 man years of employment over the last eight years and that is no mean feat.”

Although THQ UK is no more, some of the studio’s suddenly unemployed staff are looking to carve a positive from a negative by forming a series of new industry start-ups.

For example, Stuart and Donna Jennett have formed a concept unit called Alien Apple Studios, while developers Jamie Campbell and Stephen Powell are forging forward with D3T.

Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team hit the Xbox Live Arcade earlier this week and is expected to arrive soon on the PlayStation Network.

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