Turbine Suffers Layoffs, Will Become "Free-to-Play, Mobile Development Studio"
Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online developer Turbine has been hit with a round of layoffs, MassivelyOP has confirmed. The news was originally hinted at by former community manager Rick "Sapience" Heaton and later confirmed in a message from Warner Brothers:
"Turbine is transitioning into a free-to-play, mobile development studio, and as a result we are eliminating some positions. The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons and Dragons online games will continue to operate as they do now. Re-focusing and reducing the studio size was a difficult decision for the company, and we are grateful to all of the Turbine staff for their considerable contributions."
What exactly a pair of aging MMOs has to do with a "mobile development studio" is unclear but you'd have to be pretty optimistic to think it's good news -- especially since the Lord of the Rings license expires in 2017.
Our condolences go out to those looking for new employment this week.
Related Articles
About the Author

Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.
Read Next
Gigantic Stress Test This Saturday -- If You Played Last Week
Motiga and Perfect World Entertainment have announced another stress test for Gigantic taking place this weekend, Saturday, July 9, running from 10 a.m.
By Jason Winter - 6 years agoYou May Enjoy
Yoshi-P: If Investigations Show Mods Used In FFXIV Ultimate Clear, "I Will Not Recognize That Team As True World First"
From mods in Ultimate, to leaked footage, to punishments, Yoshi-P isn't happy.
By Michael Byrne - 4 days agoGhostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Launches First Big Free DLC
Introducing the newest ghost type: Glutton
By Aspen Pash - 3 days agoMicrosoft Claims Sony Created A False Narrative To Try And Dissuade EU Regulators Concerning The Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
“It would defy business logic for us to exclude PlayStation.”
By Aspen Pash - 5 days agoYesterday It Was A Rumor, Today It Is A Fact: Rumbleverse Is Shutting Down
Iron Galaxy says we may not have seen the final form of the Rumble though.
By Michael Byrne - 4 days agoFortnite And Dragon Ball Super Are Getting Another Crossover Event
The Super Saiyans return.
By Aspen Pash - 4 days agoKartRider: Drift Season 1 Launches On PC, Mobile, And Consoles With Brand-New Content On March 8th
If you end up switching devices for Season 1, all your progress will carry over from the Preseason.
By Anthony Jones - 4 days ago
Pity tho, DDO is one of a kind mmo.