Update: Layoffs, not shut down – Scribblenauts developer closing its doors
Update 2: Here’s what Slaczka told Polygon:
“WB cancelled [Scribblenauts: Fighting Words] today so we had to lay off the staff. It happened so quick we’re not sure what the plans are going forward yet.”
Update: Despite what we’ve been hearing, 5th Cell has not shut down. The studio did lay off some employees following layoffs last week, but creative director Jeremiah Slaczka says the company remains in operation. Layoffs came about to due Warner Bros. cancelling a Scribblenauts mobile game, according to Kotaku. Slaczka added that the remaining staff is “tiny”.
RIP 5TH Cell. If anyone is looking for kickass artists, programmers, designers, QA, IT, and more, let me know. pic.twitter.com/xwMZVF76Wb
— Tim Borrelli (@Anim8der) March 21, 2016
5th Cell, makers of the Scribblenauts series, is closing its doors. That significant piece of information comes by the way of the studio’s lead animator Tim Borrelli.
Scribblenauts was definitely the biggest name attached to 5th Cell, and the series was hugely successful back in the day. On Nintendo platforms, the company also created Drawn to Life and Lock’s Quest.