I can honestly say I can’t keep up with the amount of lay offs and studio closures in the gaming industry. It seems like being a games developer is about as stable as being a waiter at Spur just with extra perks.
In the latest cuts we are hearing that EA Games has slashed it’s workforce at their Montreal Studio which houses 300 employees and who’s main focus is on developing mobile games such as Scrabble and Tetris.
EA haven’t announced how many people have been let go but in an announcement they have stated they are streamlining and sharpening their focus.
“EA is sharpening its focus to provide games for new platforms and mobile. 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.”
While it’s always a sad day when people lose their jobs I can’t help but be a little hopeful that this means EA are shifting their focus from mobile back to console and PC titles… but that’s unlikely.
Last Updated: April 12, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 12, 2013 at 12:05
It’s simply because they have more people than what sales from games can cover. It’s what was being raised in the article yesterday.
Too many overheads
Edit: Really sad to hear there have been more lay offs 🙁
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
April 12, 2013 at 12:06
Oh dear……well from what we have heard from ex-employees, it must feel like these guys are being released from jail early.
Maybe it the teams working on DRM……HAHA JUST KIDDING. We all know EA like that too much.
Admiral Chief Erwin
April 12, 2013 at 12:08
All these ppl laid off at various companies should band together, and make epic games
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 12, 2013 at 12:21
yes!
matthurstrsa
April 12, 2013 at 13:15
Epic games? Like a new Unreal Tournament? Yes please!
TechniKyle
April 12, 2013 at 13:22
I just done a one man Mexican wave…
Verrayne
April 12, 2013 at 20:55
Usually it’s the bad employees that are let go and the talent that is retained in an organisation. So I wouldn’t hope for too much from laid off mobile developers..
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 21:07
But still it does not matter what the fuck they do. Us gamers dont give a shit. Thats why they get fired. Only 2% of us (out of the 140million consoles) buy their shit.
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 12:11
TETRIS Bwahahahahahahaha
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 12, 2013 at 12:12
With microtransactions…. Need a specific piece? Purchase it!
Rincethis: Spellalicious
April 12, 2013 at 12:13
Ohhhh, that’s a goodie!
Rincethis: Spellalicious
April 12, 2013 at 12:14
So you want a vowel? PAY!
TechniKyle
April 12, 2013 at 12:32
Oh you found word with all 7 tiles but can’t place it? Pay to place it!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 12, 2013 at 12:54
Ouch!
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 12:27
Dont joke
Carl Angus
April 12, 2013 at 12:27
Lol, I hear you can also purchase unlock skins for individual pieces
#HardcoreTetris4Life
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 12:27
Economic America
Slade Boender
April 12, 2013 at 12:37
Spur waiters at least get a free lunch *runs*
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 12:49
and food
matthurstrsa
April 12, 2013 at 13:16
I was horrified to learn that they don’t anymore. its now half price only. Bastard Spur.
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 12:51
I bet they agree that its the worst company of America.
Peter Grieslen
April 12, 2013 at 13:14
Since admin duties have been taken over by EA Australia, I think EA South Africa isn’t very behind, I’m afraid. I’ll be really surprise if EA still has a SA office by the end of the year.
matthurstrsa
April 12, 2013 at 13:16
Maybe their next salary was a DLC and they’re the ones who didn’t want to buy into the DLC?
R4geGam3r
April 12, 2013 at 14:02
It’s strange that some companies are laying off people while Ubisoft have a 1000 people working on AC IV.
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 21:09
MICRO TRANSACT, REDEEM, DLC, DRM THIS!!!!!
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 21:10
Stupid greedy as fuck gaming industry. FULLY ENVISION YOUR SHIT FOR FUCKS SAKE.
OVG
April 12, 2013 at 21:14
GAMER CRASH COMMING. Like before we all said 3D SUCKED, 3D TVs SUCK, the 3DS SUCKES, the VITA SUCKS, the Virtual BOY SUCKS, THE Wii U… WHAT THE FUCK IS A Wii U, LAWNMOWER MAN SUCKS,,,, VR SUCKS
Just do what you did in 2007 and Ill be happy.