Bodycount Developer's General Manager Leaves

Some concerns were raised over the status of Codemaster's upcoming FPS Bodycount when creative director Stuart Black left the project this summer. Now Codemasters Guildford, the studio that is working on the game, has lost another high-ranking staff member.

Eurogamer reports that Codemasters Guildford general manager Adrian Bolton has left the developer. Both Bolton and Black had previously been part of developer Criterion Games. Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens commented on Bolton's exit:

"He's left, but I don't think the company centers around one person. If I left I don't think the company falls over. Someone will fill the void. I don't see it as any threat to either the well-being of the product, the well-being of the studio or the well-being of the company. I don't think it's life threatening. Much as bloggers may want to paint the picture fueled by injured parties, I can tell you companies don't operate like that."

Despite Cousens' reassurance, an unnamed source "close to the situation" told Eurogamer that Bodycount is a "problem project" for Codemasters. Cousens meanwhile says that the publisher is hoping for the game to do well so that the Guildford studio can continue growing.

According to Eurogamer, Bodycount will be shown to press before Christmas, with a bigger media push planned for 2011 leading up to the game's summer launch. We should know soon how the project is faring; hopefully these high-profile departures haven't left it compromised.