Shacknews carries word that several key employees from Retro Studios, the talent behind the Metroid Prime series, are no longer with the company. The site notes that design director Mark Pacini, art director Todd Keller and principal technology engineer Jack Matthews were escorted off the company premises last week. They also point out that simultaneous departure of senior staff members usually indicates that they plan to branch off and forma new development studio.

The site has also learned that Retro Studios is in fact not closing down, despite rumors saying so. Retro, founded in 1998 and purchased by Nintendo in 2001, has been responsible for the venerable Metroid Prime trilogy. Their current project is unknown at the moment.