As Gamasutra reported yesterday, Electronic Arts CFO Blake Jorgensen confirmed (in a roundabout way) the scale of the company's recent layoffs:
"Our cost reduction plans will reduce our overall headcount by approximately 10 percent."
An EA source previously declined to confirm for Gamasutra the actual numbers involved in its layoffs, but did state that the 10 percent figure was likely overinflated. However, it appears that number was correct.
A 10 percent headcount reduction would place the number of laid off employees at around 900. Yesterday's conference call to investors did not go into specifics of which areas of EA will be and have already been most dramatically affected by the layoffs, although we know EA's Montreal branch has already been hit hard.
A literal decimation? It seems all too obvious at this point that EA is on the verge of imploding. Let's just hope it doesn't take the rest of us with it.
This is just the firing of the 10% at the bottom that happens every 3-4 years with EA. They immediately went on to mention how good they are right now with their budget, Frostbite 3 is going to dominate next gen, and stocks shot up 15%... EA isn't dying - especially if next gen kicks off well.
Just remember that when you buy an EA game - you support the model. As long as you are in the top 90% I guess you don't even mind.
Why Frostbite 3 and not UE4, the UE3 engine clearly dominated this gen. Besides, because neither Activision nor Ubisoft will use the Frostbite 3 engine, your statement would mean EA's games will dominate next gen and will be more successful then the competition. During this generation EA's importance almost vanished, only EA Sports stays relevant, I don't see how they can change this.
Theres a new sheriff in town. Actually old sheriff, so I would not be surprised to see a little of the old EA make a return. They have already started to shut down their partnerships and consolidate. EA spouses might have to sharpen the axes again.
Just remember that when you buy an EA game - you support the model. As long as you are in the top 90% I guess you don't even mind.
Why Frostbite 3 and not UE4, the UE3 engine clearly dominated this gen. Besides, because neither Activision nor Ubisoft will use the Frostbite 3 engine, your statement would mean EA's games will dominate next gen and will be more successful then the competition. During this generation EA's importance almost vanished, only EA Sports stays relevant, I don't see how they can change this.