Disney shut down LucasArts and laid-off the majority of its staff.
Starting now, the renowned studio that created cult classics such as "The Secrete of Monkey Island", "Grim Fandango", "Sam and Max" and "Knights of the Old Republic" is nothing more than a shell used to license games.
"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," said Disney in an official statement. "As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles."
LucasArts was founded in 1982. It became known as the best adventure games development studio soon after releasing games such as Maniac Mansion, Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. And when adventure games grew less popular, LucasArts started churning out equally successful Star Wars games such as X-Wing, Dark Forces, Battlefront and Knights of the Old Republic.
Unfortunately, the studio failed to keep its success stride through the 2000’s. During the last few years, LucasArts canceled several of its most anticipated titles including a new Battlefront installment and a new Indiana Jones sequel. In the meanwhile, the studio released a series of less-than-mediocre Star Wars titles that were chastised by critics and gamers alike.
Then Disney came along in October 2012 and acquired LucasArts without making any statements or promises regarding the studio’s future.