For fans of such LucasArts games as "Star Wars," the empire struck back on Wednesday -- the Disney empire, that is.
Reports spread rapidly that LucasArts, based in San Francisco's Presidio, had ceased production of games, laying off 150 people, according to multiple sources.
Game studio LucasArts is part of Lucasfilm, which Disney bought from filmmaker George Lucas in October for $4 billion.
Disney said it will continue licensing LucasArts' existing properties. The gaming trade publication Kotaku questioned that strategy, reporting that the company has not been successful in efforts so far to find takers for "Star Wars: First Assault" and "Star Wars 1313."
But Michael Pachter, who analyzes video games for Wedbush Securities, thinks the games will find a market. "There are plenty of studios for hire, many comprising employees who were let go from other companies," he told KQED's Erika Kelly. " I am sure somebody will bid on the licenses."