Electronic Arts has revealed the full scope of its recent job cuts, with layoffs impacting several studios beyond the previously announced closure of BioWare's Austin studio. The publisher confirmed that approximately 400 roles are being eliminated across the company.
While EA initially stated that 50 employees at BioWare and a downsizing at Skate studio Ripple Effect were affected, it did not specify the remaining 350 affected positions. New information indicates that The Sims studio Maxis, Battlefield support studio Ripple Effect, and EA Motive are among those experiencing layoffs. Full Circle and BioWare are also impacted.
Several employees have confirmed their departures on LinkedIn. Maxis senior director Anna Huerta, Ripple Effect artists Brandon Garcia, Corey Thomas, and Turner Spring, and operations product manager Catheryn Grant, who worked across Ripple Effect and Respawn, have all announced their exits. EA Motive's senior gameplay designer Jamieson Shearer and Full Circle's senior designer David Milne and seasonal creative director John Epler are also affected.
In a memo to staff, EA mentioned pausing development on an unannounced Sims project codenamed Project Lotus to focus on another title, Project Evergreen. The company also stated it was downsizing Full Circle to "create an experience that keeps [players] engaged over the long-term," suggesting prior indications of potential job cuts at these studios.
More surprising are the layoffs at Respawn Entertainment, a studio EA had indicated it would "heavily" invest in to support the growth of the free-to-play shooter Apex Legends. Respawn is also reportedly co-developing Star Wars: Battlefront 3 with DICE. EA has also committed its "full weight" to Motive Studio's Iron Man game and Respawn's Star Wars Jedi sequel, its only two action-adventure projects currently in development.
These layoffs follow EA's acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners earlier this year. The acquisition, valued at $55 billion, is one of the largest leveraged buyouts on record. Upon completion of the deal, EA informed debt investors of its intention to cut $700 million in annual costs, including $170 million for "organizational efficiencies," leading to widespread concerns about potential layoffs.