Home Gaming Machinima confirmed closed, more than 80 staff lose jobs

Machinima confirmed closed, more than 80 staff lose jobs

1 min read
29
Machinima

Last month, every single video on the long-standing, popular Machinima YouTube channel – and its related channels – was set to private. With the click of a button, hours and hours of fantastic content was whisked off into the nether. None of the creators were notified that this would be happening, and saw all of their content disappear into the void too.

At the time, the company that owns Machinima, Otter Media, said that it was working on new content with the Machinima team.

“We are focused on creating new content with the Machinima team, which will be distributed on new channels to be announced in the coming months,” a statement to Kotaku said.

“In the meantime the Machinima network of creator channels continues to showcase the talents of the network. As part of this focus on new content, we have pivoted from distributing content on a handful of legacy operated channels.”

That may not have been entirely truthful. Otter Media has now confirmed that Machinima is no more, and that over 80 employees have now lost their jobs. This comes after massive layoffs at Vice, Huffington Post and Buzzfeed – showing that new media may well be just as doomed as old media.

“A select number of Machinima employees remain with the company, which is now actively providing services to supercharge the combined portfolio of Otter Media,” said a Machinima spokesperson (thanks, GamesIndustry.biz).

“Machinima has ceased its remaining operations, which includes layoffs. Russell Arons remains with Machinima, and is assisting with transitional activities as she explores new opportunities.”

It’s an unfortunate and untimely end to one of the largest and most prevalent Multi-Channel YouTube networks.

Last Updated: February 4, 2019

29 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief

    February 4, 2019 at 11:47

    Is this related to that MCN scandal last year?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 4, 2019 at 11:47

      • The D

        February 4, 2019 at 13:11

        Long watch, but WOW. Scummy business once again.

        Reply

        • Guild

          February 4, 2019 at 13:11

          Yeah. Had no clue about this or that this happened.

          Reply

        • HvR

          February 4, 2019 at 13:23

          Not much different than other companies.

          Anybody who have ever worked for a company that goes bankcrupt will tell you, you are presented with this “not-so-bad” picture while actually the shareholders are draining resources out of the company knowing full well the writing is on the wall.

          Then you the small fry is left there without last months salary, 40 days of leave because you were not allow to take in the last year and stock options worths less than toilet paper than was the last 5 years “xmas bonus”. All of a sudden millions of assets and stock that you saw with your own eyes if just gone and the old shareholders all of a sudden have new businesses with that same stock.

          The beancounter lawyers just shrug their shoulders take their cut and gives you 6c for every rand owed 2 years after the fact.

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          February 4, 2019 at 13:34

          Yeah man, it was very informative, and makes me sick to thing that people sell something with no content by scumming off hard workers

          Reply

        • HvR

          February 4, 2019 at 13:23

          Not much different than other companies.

          Anybody who have ever worked for a company that goes bankcrupt will tell you, you are presented with this “not-so-bad” picture while actually the shareholders are draining resources out of the company knowing full well the writing is on the wall.

          Then you the small fry is left there without last months salary, 40 days of leave because you were not allow to take in the last year and stock options worths less than toilet paper than was the last 5 years “xmas bonus”. All of a sudden millions of assets and stock that you saw with your own eyes if just gone and the old shareholders all of a sudden have new businesses with that same stock.

          The beancounter lawyers just shrug their shoulders take their cut and gives you 6c for every rand owed 2 years after the fact.

          Reply

    • HvR

      February 4, 2019 at 13:17

      Same but different.

      Unlike Defy Media it seems they did not hold back affiliated channels money.

      Reply

    • Kromas

      February 4, 2019 at 12:05

      Not really but many companies are realizing that MCN’s are a rather big scam.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        February 4, 2019 at 12:05

        Indeed, cancerous PoS

        Reply

  2. Magoo

    February 4, 2019 at 11:58

    Ya’ll just let me me know if you need me to click on 100 CH articles every day to help out.

    Oh wait, I already do. >.>

    Reply

  3. Guz

    February 4, 2019 at 12:17

    Every time I hear buzzwords like refocus, streamline supercharging, I know its got to do with the higher ups not making enough money for their liking, so they lay off workers

    Reply

  4. Skittle

    February 4, 2019 at 12:47

    I experience schadenfreude whenever the likes of HuffPo, Vice and Buzzfeed experience some difficulties

    Reply

    • Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

      February 4, 2019 at 13:17

      hahaha me too

      Reply

  5. HvR

    February 4, 2019 at 13:28

    Do not know why you would classify it as unfortunate.

    Go look at the fees Machinima were charging when they were the only gaming MCN on Youtube.

    They were never nice or good guys, they were a company that leverage themselves in a stupid system Youtube created and basically extorted money from creators.

    Reply

  6. G8crasha

    February 4, 2019 at 13:34

    Well, this is sad news.

    Reply

  7. HvR

    February 4, 2019 at 13:41

    Clearly the “new media” bubble has burst, sort of inevitable if you continue to claim present yourself as as having a 1000 time more net worth than the actual income and value you are generating.

    “Luckily” it is only employees and direct owners that are suffering, could have been another 90’s internet bubble with millions of people loosing their pensions and saving on the stock market and “safe” investment funds.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Will Smith getting fit leads YouTube’s new selection of original series

YouTube is producing several reality shows starring some big names as it looks to reverse …