Red Dead Redemption is a commercial and critical success, moving more than 1.5 million copies in its first month while wrangling rock-solid reviews. Despite that, Rockstar has axed about 40 employees from the San Diego studio, according to sources close to the developer.
Kotaku has heard from multiple sources who say that a "significant" chunk of Rockstar San Diego was let go earlier today, just shy of two months after Red Dead Redemption's release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Rockstar Games has not yet responded to requests for comment or clarification on the rumored layoffs.
Red Dead Redemption was the subject of multiple delays, a game originally planned for release in the fall of 2009.
Between the game's announcement and its completion, Rockstar San Diego employees alleged unfair working conditions at the studio, comparing the company's New York headquarters to the "Eye of Sauron," an accusation that the company said it was saddened (but appeared amused) by.
Rockstar San Diego, formerly Angel Studios, is also responsible for the developer's Midnight Club and Smuggler's Run series.
http://kotaku.com/5587413/rumor-rockstar-lays-off-40-from-red-dead-redemption-team
