Music video game developer slashes 39 jobs

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts software company that created "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game has eliminated 39 jobs in an effort to trim operating costs.

Harmonix Music Systems Inc. laid off about 13 percent of its employees Thursday, just after it announced that the Beatles game has sold more than a million copies. The cuts were first reported Friday by the Boston Herald.

Cambridge-based Harmonix says it had staffed up its quality assurance department ahead of the game's release and now will rely on part-time workers and outsourcing. The company says the layoffs will not affect future products.

Its hugely popular "Rock Band" music video game series lets players use simulated guitars and drum kits to perform popular songs. The first two versions have sold about 13 million copies.