'Test Drive' studio strike 'over job cuts'

Eden Games has revealed that it went on strike in response to redundancies by parent company Atari.

A statement from the Test Drive Unlimited 2 developer sent to Gamasutra said that 51 out of the 80 employees at the France-based studio are currently participating in a redundancy plan.

The "symbolic day strike", which occurred one day this week, was "to show the employees' determination and mobilsation" and communicate with Atari CEO Jim Wilson over the cuts.

Atari's shift from boxed products to focusing on online business models, as well as an ongoing mismanagement of projects, are allegedly to blame for the staff cuts.

"Eden Games pays now for Atari mismanagement," read the statement. "For several years we are witnessing multiple leader changes at its head, they did not hesitate to get rich despite financial difficulties.

"Atari does not play the game of negotiations with employee representatives on the redundancy plan measures. Employee representatives of Eden until now have been extremely collaborative, respecting the very tight deadlines of the redundancy plan."

Test Drive Unlimited 2 topped the UK all-format chart in its debut week of release in February.

However, the game experienced a troubled launch period due to issues with multiplayer and downloadable content.

> Read our PlayStation 3 review of Test Drive Unlimited 2