Blockbuster publisher Activision has announced severe and sweeping cuts across its global organisation.

Rumours of studio closures had intensified before Activision revealed tonight that it would cut as many as 500 staff.

It is thought, though not confirmed, that an unknown number of staff at London studio FreeStyleGames will be made redundant.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick announced today that the Guitar Hero franchise will be abolished completely – a move which casts doubts over Activision’s subsidiary studio Vicarious Visions, which was handed development duties on the series last year.

"Due to continued declines in the music genre, Activision will disband the Guitar Hero business unit and discontinue development on its Guitar Hero game for 2011."

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Kotick also confirmed Activision has cancelled the upcoming True Crime game.

That project was underway at external group United Front Games, an independent studio which today was rumoured to have shut down on News site Eurogamer.

When contacted on the phone, United Front declined Develop the opportunity to speak to a press contact and clarify the claims.

At a financial report made just hours after the rumours surfaced, an Activision executive said the True Crime project was not shaping up to be a quality product.