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Rough times continue for EA.Games publisher Electronic Arts has started handing out pink slips in another round of job cuts. It's unclear how many people EA plans to let go, though it appears most of the layoffs are being focused on the publisher's Montreal-based mobile development studio, which had been rumored to be in the process of shutting down. EA said it doesn't plan to close the studio, though it did confirm the layoffs.
"EA is sharpening its focus to provide games for new platforms and mobile," EA said in a statement, according to Reuters and Polygon. "In some cases, this involves reducing team sizes as we evolve into a more efficient organization. These are difficult decisions to let go of good people who have made important contributions to EA, and whenever possible we retrain or relocate employees to new roles. Streamlining our operations will help ensure EA is bringing the best next-generation games to players around the world."
The job cuts come a little over two weeks after John Riccitiello resigned as CEO on March 30. Former CEO and Chairman Larry Probst took over the role on an interim basis as EA searches for a permanent replacement.
"My decision to leave EA is really all about my accountability for the shortcomings in our financial results this year. It currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued to the Street, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. And for that, I am 100 percent accountable," Riccitiello wrote in a letter to employees.
EA Mobile Montreal was home to around 300 employees before the cuts.
Image Credit: Flickr (rp72)
crimson49er
April 13, 2013 at 1:16pm
looks like their DRM have prevented profits while not preventing piracy.
Warrior247
April 12, 2013 at 5:40pm
Meh, they've done this before. Haters wil hate.
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/11/10/ea-cancels-12-games-lays-off-1500-jobs/1
But also, some titles just didn't cut it. NBA Live, MOH Warfighter canceled. Dead Space 4 rumored to be canceled because of poor sales of Dead Space 3.
- No support for Wii U with the big games at least. Due To Lack Of “Business Drive” Between EA And Nintendo. There is much revenue right there for the taking. But it's the same thing that they did to the Dreamcast. Why? If it can be made on 360 it DEFINITELY can be made on Wii U!
- Lost war between BF3 and COD after spending 100m on advertising alone!
- Crysis! They've probably spent more money on that game then made from it!
They also brought some bad studios too.
wolfing
April 12, 2013 at 12:13pm
Not sure what they were doing, but sounds strange that the mobile division is getting hit. Wasn't mobile gaming supposed to be the future? Guess they couldn't figure out how to make "Call of Duty 21231847 Pink Magenta Edition" and "The Mobile Sims" for iPhones.
devin3627
April 12, 2013 at 12:44pm
goofball. activision makes black ops and they have a lot of money because they milk products. modern warfare 3 was the same as modern warfare 2 and i returned it. fresh thinking might be the idea behind releasing a call of duty every year, fresh mentality.
The Mac
April 12, 2013 at 11:06am
I seriously doubt the scrubs who were canned were very "Mighty"
lol
