While EA shuts down BioWare, developers of The Sims, Skate, and Battlefield say they've also lost their jobs

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the shutdown of several of its studios, including BioWare, Maxis, Full Circle, and Ripple Effect. According to an internal memo leaked by Bloomberg, the company plans to lay off 400 employees, a figure far exceeding the 50 staff members working at BioWare. The layoffs have left many developers and artists uncertain about their futures, as they have been with their respective studios for years.

Maxis senior creative director Anna Huerta expressed her sadness at the announcement, stating that she will miss working alongside her talented colleagues on the projects they hold dear. Similarly, Dylan Palmer, a Senior Artist and Art Director who has worked for EA since 2019, confirmed he was affected by the restructuring. Full Circle, who have already faced layoffs this year, also confirmed the elimination of several roles, including those of John Epler, a Seasonal Creative Director, and David Milne, a Senior Gameplay Designer.

Ripple Effect, the studio responsible for Battlefield 6, Battlefield 2042, and the Battlefield Portal UGC platform, has also been impacted by the layoffs. Character artist Corey Thomas, Technical Animator Juan Meza, and Technical Artist Turner Spring confirmed their redundancy. While there is no evidence suggesting the shutdown or cancellation of these studios or their games, the financial burden of EA's billions in debt, acquired through a leveraged buyout by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, necessitates such measures.