The former director of a new Battlefield game has criticised EA, after he recently left the company and saw the studio he co-founded closed.
29.02.2024 - 00:43 / gamesradar.com / Andrew Wilson / Laura Miele / Jordan Gerblick
A grim year for the video game industry just got grimmer, as EA has plans to cut 670 workers - approximately 5% of its workforce - in a major business shakeup that will include sunsetting existing games and canceling licensed IP.
In a note sent to staff and obtained by IGN, EA CEO Andrew Wilson said the restructuring is in response to "accelerating industry transformation where player needs and motivations and changed significantly."
As part of its restructuring, EA is "moving away from the development of future licensed IP." The company has yet to reveal the full scope of teams and projects impacted, but Wilson did reveal that Respawn's Star Wars first-person shooter has been canceled. We didn't know a whole lot about the game, but it was reportedly a Mandalorian adaptation.
"It's always hard to walk away from a project, and this decision is not a reflection of the team's talent, tenacity, or passion they have for the game," EA Entertainment president Laura Miele wrote in a separate note to staff, also via IGN. "Giving fans the next installments of the iconic franchises they want is the definition of blockbuster storytelling and the right place to focus."
Moreover, Ridgeline Games, the Seattle-based studio formed in 2021 to develop a single-player Battlefield single-player, has been shuttered as part of EA's restructuring. A number of its developers will be folded into Ripple Effect, a Battlefield co-developer originally known as DICE LA. Battlefield's single-player future is apparently still part of EA's plans, now being headed up by Criterion's Danny Isaac and Darren White.
Wilson said EA will now focus on its own first-party IP, sports, and "massive online communities," moving developers from other projects to support these initiatives.
"This greater focus allows us to drive creativity, accelerate innovation, and double down on our biggest opportunities — including our owned IP, sports, and massive online communities — to deliver the entertainment players want today and tomorrow. Lastly, we are streamlining our company operations to deliver deeper, more connected experiences for fans everywhere that build community, shape culture, and grow fandom," Wilson said.
"I understand this will create uncertainty and be challenging for many who have worked with such dedication and passion and have made important contributions to our company," said Wilson. "While not every team will be impacted, this is the hardest part of these changes, and we have deeply considered every option to try and limit impacts to our teams. Our primary goal is to provide team members with opportunities to find new roles and paths to transition onto other projects. Where that’s not possible, we will support and work with each
The former director of a new Battlefield game has criticised EA, after he recently left the company and saw the studio he co-founded closed.
The upcoming Star Wars strategy game is still in development, Bit Reactor has confirmed. The studio's project status update was offered as part of a wider reflection on the recent news of Electronic Arts canceling Respawn's Star Wars FPS, which was rumored to place the players in the shoes of a Mandalorian bounty hunter.
The Star Wars strategy game from Bit Reactor and EA is still in development, following the cancellation of a Star Wars shooter by Apex Legends studio Respawn last week.
The Star Wars franchise bringing back a young Luke Skywalker on its Disney Plus shows has stirred some interest in recasting the iconic role for future appearances, and one fan online has given their suggestion on who could take on the challenge to the overt disapproval of others.
EA is the latest game company to announce layoffs, with 5% of its workforce to be made redundant. From the most recent headcount EA provided – 13,400 in March 2023 – that would amount to around 670 people.
Embracer Group is reportedly set to sell Saber Interactive in a deal worth up to $500 million.
Electronic Arts has announced a restructuring plan that will see it lay off approximately 5% of its global workforce.
EA has confirmed they are closing Ridgeline Games.
EA is the latest game company to announce layoffs, with 5% of its workforce to be made redundant. From the most recent headcount EA provided – 13,400 in March 2023 – that would amount to around 670 people.
Electronics Arts (EA) has confirmed plans to lay off around five percent of its staff, move away from developing future licensed games it doesn't think will be successful, and begin “winding down Ridgeline as a standalone studio.”
In yet another chapter of the seemingly unending layoff news, Electronic Arts (EA) announced it's laying off 5% of its employees, amounting to around 670 people.
Electronic Arts has closed Ridgeline Games, the studio formed in 2021 to work on a future Battlefield single-player game.