UK-based Venom Games may face layoffs or outright closure following an evaluation by parent company Take-Two Interactive, according to Kotaku.

"We are assessing the role of Venom Games in Take-Two's overall global studio system and are in a consultation with the employees of Venom in relation to possible redundancies at the studio," Take-Two said in a statement. "No final decision will be made until after the consultation with employees."

The studio previously developed such titles as the Xbox 360 edition of Human Head Studios' Prey (PC, 360) and the Xbox 360 release of Don King Presents: Prizefighter, with Wii and DS versions of the boxing title due out later this year.

The less-than-stellar critical reception of Prizefighter may have prompted the assessment of Venom Games, which was acquired by Take-Two in 2004.

Now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace is a demo for Don King Presents Prizefighter, the new boxing game from 2K Sports and Venom Games. A 620mb download, the demo features a bout between Joe Calzaghe and Luis Collazo in Madison Square Garden.Don King Presents Prizefighter is currently out for Xbox 360, with a Wii and Nintendo DS release following later this year.

The first trailer for Don King Presents: Prizefighter is now available, showing off the boxing game in development at 2K Games subsidiary Venom Games. The trailer offers cinematic in-game and training clips, along with footage featuring Don King.

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Don King Presents: Prizefighter will be released for Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS June 10.

Publisher 2K Sports has just released the first screenshots from the Xbox 360 version of Don King Presents: Prizefighter, featuring in-game footage and a snapshot of of renowned boxing promoter Don King (pictured left).

Announced late last year and developed by 2K subsidiary Venom Games, Don King Presents: Prizefighter is due out on Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS later this spring. The studio's previous work includes the Xbox 360 port of Human Head's Prey (PC, X360) and, prior to its acquisition by 2K, the Ubisoft-published Rocky Legends (PS2, Xbox), which is based on the popular boxing-oriented Rocky franchise.

2K Sports is entering the boxing ring, having announced development of Don King Presents: Prizefighter today.

Set for a spring 2008 release on Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS, 2K Sports promises that Prizefighter features a "documentary-style narrative never before seen in a video game" as you build your career in the game.

Development of Don King Presents: Prizefighter is being handled by Venom Games; the company's previous work includes the Rocky Legends game and the porting of Prey to Xbox 360.

"The combination of real-life fight scenarios, story-driven gameplay and photo-realistic graphics will set this title apart from the competition," said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. "Our goal has always been to deliver the most engaging and realistic titles, and Don King Presents: Prizefighter will exceed these expectations. Based on the game's innovative features and high-profile fighters, this title will be a 'must have' for any sports gamer."