Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers Get the Boot

Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers Get the Boot

July 14, 2009

This one is strictly a rumor at this point, but a reliable U.K. source tells GamePolitics that Midway's Newcastle studio in the U.K. has been shut down this morning following a surprise visit by CEO Matt Booty.

Workers have reportedly been let go without pay and some are apparently posting about the situation on Facebook. We have an e-mail in to Midway seeking confirmation.

Midway, of course, was recently acquired by Warner Bros. in a deal approved by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge.

UPDATE: This one is CONFIRMED. Develop has details...

Comments

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

It's awful news to hear, I briefly knew Craig at his last workplace and he seemed like a very dedicated guy. I hope they all find new jobs, though companies in the UK seem to be growing sparse. :-/

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

Ya a shame but even edios is being gutted since thier take over by sqaure.... being taken over means alot of butt hurt.....

 


I am a criminal because I purchase media,I am a criminal because I use media, I am a criminal because I chose to own media..We shall remain criminals until Corporate stay's outside our bedrooms..


http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

It's the pay thing that really annoys me when stuff like this happens, I'm not sure if there is a legal procedure to follow, but I'm pretty certain that you could probably take Midway to court over the lost wages.

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

Not in most cases.  When a company is taken over by another, all contracts need to be re-negotiated.  Therefore, if the new contract isn't signed, they don't owe anyone anything.

---

Freedom of speech means the freedom to say ANYTHING, so long as it is the truth. This does not exclude anything that might hurt someone's feelings.

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

Strictly speaking the contract with the old company should still be binding until the moment it is dissolved, if you've been working in that time, it was under contract.

In truth, the hard part is getting money from an insolvent company, that's always the bit which causes problems for ex-employees, but then, I'm equally certain that loophole is exploited frequently during buy-outs, making sure that employees to be released are not informed until the maximum amount of 'free' work possible has been got.

Re: Rumor: Midway U.K. Studio Visited by CEO Booty, Workers ...

>making sure that employees to be released are not informed until the maximum amount of 'free' work possible has been got.

Rumour is that studio's employees get paid on the 15th of the month.

/b

GamePolitics ShoutBox

Posted 11/21/09 at 09:21am
magic_taco: ...ok...
Posted 11/21/09 at 08:16am
ZippyDSMlee: Welcome and goodmorning its zippy in the AM....wat OMG its 8:50AM!!!!
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:42pm
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:17pm
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:10pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:01pm
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:59pm
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:49pm
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:46pm
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:44pm
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:42pm
DarkSaber: JD's feeling rather desperate it seems.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:33pm
JDKJ: C'mon, Zip. You already touch yourself way too much. Spread the love. Before you go blind.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:27pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No and I ain't touching any part of you or your friends!! :P
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:25pm
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Lik Mitaint?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: neill and bob,oldest giveing head joke and most lamest...
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
JDKJ: But thanks for the memory. MIB's a classic. *sings* "Here come the Men in Black. Galaxy defenders. Here come the Men in Black. They won't let you remember."
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:for the record I told you you can suck your own dck.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:07pm
JDKJ: Naw, man. That's Mueedeegiaap and Bob. And you can stop bobbing. I got Zippy bobbing now, too.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:56pm
DarkSaber: OH I get it now! It's Men In Black quote! The twins that run the comm centre in HQ.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:49pm
JDKJ: I'd like to introduce you to them. First, Neil. Then, Bob.
Login or register to post shouts