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Significant Staff Reductions at Six to Start as OliveX Seeks Buyers
Six to Start, the developer known for popular applications such as Zombies, Run! and Marvel Move, has undergone drastic layoffs, with most of the workforce being let go. This decision was disclosed in a Zoom meeting held last week, where employees were informed that OliveX, the parent company, could no longer sustain the operations of Six to Start and would consider shutting it down unless a buyer is found. Those affected received redundancy notices, confirming the reports.
The ZRX: Zombies, Run! application stands out as an engaging fitness program that immerses users in narrative-driven experiences. Participants running or walking are chased by characters ranging from zombies to Marvel villains, motivating them to increase their pace. Upon completing episodes, players can also gather items which can be exchanged for badges or in-game structures. Originally launched in 2012, the app boasts an impressive user base of approximately 10 million globally.
Creating such immersive gaming experiences, particularly for titles like Marvel Move, entails considerable expenses. This includes crafting intricate storylines, engaging voice talent, and hiring artists for visual elements. According to sources familiar with the situation, it seems improbable that ZRX: Zombies, Run! will be completely discontinued in the near future, given the strong community of dedicated players and subscribers. Instead, it appears that OliveX is aiming to significantly reduce costs by either halting or drastically scaling back new content production, leaning on the vast archive of existing episodes. OliveX is reportedly in pursuit of potential buyers, with some interest already expressed, as per insider information.
OliveX acquired Six to Start in 2021, but reports suggest that the integration has not been smooth. An anonymous source revealed that friction existed between Six to Start employees and both OliveX and its parent company, Animoca Brands. Allegations arose regarding differences in company philosophies, particularly concerning the themes of the games, which are said to be anti-capitalist, clashing with OliveX’s directions to venture into cryptocurrency and NFT projects. The source described the experience of working under OliveX as challenging, noting a lack of any NFT implementations within Six to Start games so far.
The future for ZRX: Zombies, Run! subscribers remains uncertain. While the app features a broad array of existing content, the appeal of regular new episode releases has been a significant component of its success. Efforts to reach out to OliveX and Six to Start for comments have not yet received a response.
Source
www.theverge.com