There have been rumors about on the immenent demise of THQ’s Volition development house but it seems those rumors and speculation weren’t exactly true.  Volition of course are the makers of the Saint’s Row series and other titles.  I got word from THQ clearing up some of the confusion.

Here’s the skinny from Julie MacMedan, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications.

“Yesterday, we had a layoff of our Quality Assurance group at THQ’s Volition studio. I wanted to give you the facts as there’s been some inaccurate reporting out there.

As part of THQ Inc’s, previously announced business realignment plans and related headcount reductions, there was a layoff yesterday at the Champaign QA facility. This will result in the eventual closure of the facility with a transfer of sixteen employees to Volition.

It will not result in any layoffs within the core development teams at Volition. Volition remains a key development studio within THQ and will continue to employ 236 staff.

The layoffs include 47 temporary employees who will not be having their service extended. Unfortunately, fluctuating headcount among the temporary staff is common based on when our games ship. In addition, 39 full-time staff will be laid off.

All laid off employees (both full-time and temporary) will be given at least sixty days’ notice. We will do what we can to assist them in finding work in the community or elsewhere in THQ.”

Okay so all is well that ends well eh?  Except for the 86 people who got canned I suppose.  But at least development pushes forward on perhaps a Saint’s Row 3?