Microsoft Shuts Down Victoria Studio

The office, located at Fort and Wharf streets in Victoria, overlooked the city’s harbour

The software giant closes its game design studio in downtown Victoria less than two years after opening

 
Microsoft Studios Victoria announced that it was closing down Wednesday, leaving at least 30 people out of work, according to reports.
 
Located in a building at Wharf and Fort streets overlooking the harbor, Microsoft pledged to hire 150 people over three years when it took out a four floor lease in early 2012.
 
“This was not an easy decision, but one guided by our desire to centralize development in our Vancouver studios,” the company said in a statement to Metro Victoria. “We are working closely with all employees affected by this change to identify open positions in other studios, and we remain committed to doing business in B.C.,” the statement reads.
 
“We want to thank the Victoria community for all of their support. We continue to view Victoria as a source of top talent for our industry,” the company said.

According to reports, none of the projects that the studio was working on will be affected by its closure, although its undoubtedly a hit to Vancouver Island’s tight-knit gaming industry. Last year Microsoft cut two projects at its Vancouver studio, which left 35 employees out of work.