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Viacom closes down VR studio Viacom Next

The media company has closed down the VR studio as part of what looks to be company-wide cost-cutting measures that led to the loss of 100 jobs.

Alissa McAloon, Publisher

February 8, 2018

1 Min Read
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Viacom has closed down its VR and AR studio Viacom Next, roughly two years after the division was first set up.

According to Variety, an undisclosed number of Next staff have been laid off as a result, while many have been offered reassignment to other departments within Viacom's Global Emerging Opportunities Group.

All in all, the closure comes as Viacom executed company-wide cost-cutting measures that resulted in roughly 100 layoffs throughout various divisions. 

Viacom Next produced games and experiences, ranging from the Apple ARKit-powered Transformers: Cade’s Junkyard to interactive VR music videos like the vibrant Chocolate VR. 

The media conglomerate says it isn't leaving VR and AR behind completely. Instead, its future development efforts in that area will be carried out by its larger Global Emerging Opportunities Group rather than a smaller outfit like Viacom Next. 

About the Author

Alissa McAloon

Publisher, GameDeveloper.com

As the Publisher of Game Developer, Alissa McAloon brings a decade of experience in the video game industry and media. When not working in the world of B2B game journalism, Alissa enjoys spending her time in the worlds of immersive sandbox games or dabbling in the occasional TTRPG.

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