Disney Plans to Shut Down Split/Second Developers 'Black Rock Studios'

Sad news to start off a Friday.

After having its staff reduced to 40 employees earlier this year after a round of layoffs, Black Rock Studio, the developers behind Split/Second and Pure will shut down completely, according to a statement by Disney Interactive posted by Eurogamer.

The statement confirms that Black Rock's latest game failed to garner a green light from their publisher, shortly after Disney informed the studio of the plans to close.

For now the studio remains open as Disney has enacted a "consulation process" which under U.K. law signals the impending closure of a company. This process evidently takes 90 days to complete.

After the previous round of layoffs, two new studios were created by former employees. Split/Second director Nick Baynes has gone on to form Roundcube entertainment, and four former studio heads have formed ShortRound games.

Here's to hoping that all of the employees go on to find new work soon.