THQ cuts 86 Volition positions

Last month, THQ announced that it would be laying off a quarter of its global work force, more than 600 workers. Today the publisher shed a little more light on where those layoffs were coming from, announcing that it had laid off 86 employees from developer Volition's quality-assurance staff.

The layoffs hit Volition's Champaign, Illinois QA facility, which is not far from Volition's Champaign, Illinois headquarters. That QA location will eventually be closed, with 16 employees transferring to Volition proper. A THQ representative stressed that the core development team of 236 employees at Volition--best known for its Saints Row and Red Faction franchises--will remain untouched.

Of the 86 layoffs, 47 are temporary workers who won't have their contracts extended, with the remaining 39 cuts consisting of full-timers. THQ noted that all laid-off employees will be given 60 days' notice, and the publisher will attempt to assist them in transitioning to work elsewhere in the industry or at other locations within the company.

Currently, Volition is working on a third Saints Row game and Red Faction: Guerrilla. Previously, the developer scored hits with the Descent and Summoner franchises, as well as 2005's The Punisher for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC.