Skate Studio Also Hit With Cuts as Scope of EA's Mass Layoffs Becomes Clearer

EA has announced a round of layoffs that also affected the team behind the live-service skating game Skate, as Full Circle, the studio responsible, announced cuts to its workforce. Seasonal creative director John Epler and senior game designer Adam Martinazzi confirmed their departures, expressing both sadness and acceptance of the industry's nature.

David Milne, another senior designer, also announced his departure, emphasizing his enjoyment of working on Skate and the team they collaborated with. Full Circle had previously experienced layoffs in February. The company stated that the decision to downsize was not a reflection of the talent and dedication of its employees, and they are committed to supporting those affected during their transition.

EA cited the need for a more focused and smaller team to deliver on a clear roadmap for the Skate community, aiming to create a healthier and more sustainable business. Bloomberg reported that 400 jobs were eliminated across EA, constituting 3% of its total staff. This round of layoffs comes two weeks after Full Circle released a statement regarding fan-made mods for Skate, acknowledging the importance of community mods while maintaining a stance against those that exploit paid cosmetics or generate revenue from new features.

Full Circle confirmed that it is developing official, secure tools to enable broader and deeper community creation. EA, now privately held with Saudi Arabian involvement, recognizes the creative and ambitious individuals who have contributed to its success. CEO Andrew Wilson disclosed a compensation package of $38.6 million for the 2026 fiscal year, attributing the company's strong performance to Battlefield 6's record-breaking launch.