LucasArts scales down internal dev staff - Report

In the past couple of months, Rockstar Games, Sony Online Entertainment, Firaxis, Realtime Worlds, and Ubisoft have all sent staff packing, for reasons ranging from studio bankruptcies to the ever-popular "realignment of resources." Now, it appears as if one more studio can be added to that list, as Kotaku reports today that approximately 60 developers and 25 external production and QA staff have been shown the door at Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II developer-publisher LucasArts.

The layoffs reportedly follow on from the completion of The Force Unleashed II, which is due to arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, and DS on October 26. In a statement provided to the news site, LucasArts confirmed the layoffs, saying that the reductions do not signal an end for the company's internal development efforts.

"LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing," LucasArts reportedly said in a statement. "LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio--and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners--in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."

Notably, LucasArts enacted a similar round of layoffs following the completion of the original Force Unleashed, which went on to sell more than 7 million units following its September 2008 launch. The Star Wars house has also taken measures to strengthen its internal development operations, announcing last month that it had signed on former Ubisoft Montreal creative director Clint Hocking to lead development on a new, unannounced project.

LucasArts had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment as of press time. For more on The Force Unleashed II, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.