Disney Shutters LucasArts Game Studio

After almost 31 years producing video games, interactive entertainment studio LucasArts is shutting down.

The move comes about five months after The Walt Disney Company acquired LucasFilm and LucasArts for $4.05 billion.

"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," Disney said in a statement. "As a result of the 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."

According to Kotaku, about 150 people were laid off, but Disney declined to confirm an exact number. A spokeswoman said a small team will remain intact at LucasArts to work on licensing deals, while some employees will move to Disney Interactive.

There will be more Star Wars games in the future, but Disney is looking at a different model for their creation and publication. The two current projects — First Assault and 1313 — are on hold for the time being, the spokeswoman said.

:story: PC Magazine