Disney to shut down LucasArts Game Studio

LucasArts will shift from an internal development to a licensing model.

18:42 04 April 2013

The Walt Disney Co., which recently acquired Lucasfilm Ltd, has decided to shut down LucasArts Game Studio, which developed Star Wars video games. The closure will result to layoffs of unspecified number of workers and developers. However, a small team will be retained to handle licensing partnerships. 

In a statement, LucasFilm said: "After evaluating our position in the games market, we’ve decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company’s risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality 'Star Wars' games.”

 

LucasArts had been developing the video games “Star Wars: First Assault” and “Star Wars 1313.” Production of those games has been halted. 

 

Disney, which acquired LucasFilm last year for $4.05bn, has its own interactive games division.