EA makes 'essential' layoffs, refuses comment on specifics

Electronic Arts has announced layoffs, although has refused to detail specifics on how many people were affected and where.

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Electronic Arts has announced layoffs, although has refused to detail specifics on how many people were affected and where. "In recent weeks, EA has aligned all elements of its organizational structure behind priorities in new technologies and mobile," a statement on the company's official site reads. "This has led to some difficult decisions to reduce the workforce in some locations."

According to EA, "these are hard but essential changes as we focus on delivering great games and showing players around the world why to spend their time with us."

In a statement to Shacknews, a representative for the publisher said that "we're not commenting on specific teams or number of employees." However, Kotaku claims that up to 10 percent of the company's workforce could be affected. These reductions come after earlier layoffs at the company, and the resignation of former CEO John Riccitiello, who admitted that the company would be facing yet another financial loss.

Earlier rumors suggested that the EA Partners program would be shuttered as well.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    April 25, 2013 11:55 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, EA makes 'essential' layoffs, refuses comment on specifics.

    Electronic Arts has announced layoffs, although has refused to detail specifics on how many people were affected and where.

    • reply
      April 25, 2013 11:56 AM

      EA owes it to us, the gamers, about who was laid off and their positions. I also want to know details about their accountability levels and accrued vacation time.

      • reply
        April 25, 2013 11:57 AM

        i still remember where i was the day that EA announced essential layoffs...

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        April 25, 2013 1:02 PM

        [deleted]

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          April 25, 2013 1:09 PM

          probably won;t happen until their next earnings call.

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            April 25, 2013 6:06 PM

            EA's next earnings call is May 7, 2013. While I don't imagine they'll detail a lot of stuff, there's probably going to be some sort of a turnaround plan announced by then, because investors really want to know how EA's going to hit the numbers next quarter.

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        April 25, 2013 1:12 PM

        As a gamer I don't give a shit. Their investors might, though.

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        April 25, 2013 2:06 PM

        Haha, I get it, entitled gamers! That's so funny. It's so funny, because unlike all other media, gamers should just tolerate whatever treatment they get from companies and not expect quality from the products offered them.

        Yer a funny guy.

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          April 25, 2013 2:09 PM

          [deleted]

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            April 25, 2013 2:18 PM

            No, I was just pointing out the absurdity of this sentiment that seems to be overtaking some people.

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              April 25, 2013 2:32 PM

              I don't get it. You need to know their sick days usage? That's kinda personal dude.

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                April 25, 2013 3:46 PM

                I need transcripts of every transaction they've ever made at the 7-11 if they are to be held fully accountable.

                In all seriousness though, apparently I was missing some in-reference. I just generally thought he was making fun of 'Entitled Gamers', which is becoming a prevalent trend in gaming journalism, so while I admit it's a mistake, I'd say it's an easy mistake to make for someone not in on the joke.

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          April 25, 2013 2:46 PM

          Lighten up man. Jesus H. R.R Martin Christ.

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          April 25, 2013 2:55 PM

          I get what you're saying, but you have to admit that entitled gamers are infinitely worse than fans of most other forms of art.

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            April 25, 2013 3:00 PM

            it's not really entitled gamers in general. it's one specific entitled gamer redfive is poking fun at

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            April 25, 2013 3:45 PM

            I will not admit that as long as Star Wars, Star Trek, and comic-book fans still exist.

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        April 25, 2013 2:42 PM

        i'm afraid your quip may be too esoteric

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      April 25, 2013 12:01 PM

      its essential that we get rid of these people!

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      April 25, 2013 12:29 PM

      9000 people got laid off today! That's a lot of people looking for jobs... Forget about new graduates looking for jobs... What a mess EA's going to be a THQ soon enough

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        April 25, 2013 12:49 PM

        EA only employs 9000 people and it is supposed to be about 10% of the company so that would be 900 people.

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        April 25, 2013 1:03 PM

        so the new SimCity will never get fixed?

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          April 25, 2013 1:13 PM

          they could hire the entirety of india and it wouldn't get fixed. why india? well they wouldn't hire US folks so let's keep it PLAUSIBLE at least, amirite

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            April 25, 2013 1:26 PM

            have you seen indian traffic?

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              April 25, 2013 1:27 PM

              hahahaha well shit, maybe simcity is in fact "fixed". modeled after the new QA folks!!!

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        April 25, 2013 4:09 PM

        Over 9000 people laid off? There's no way that can be right.

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          April 25, 2013 6:08 PM

          At least it wasn't over 9000.

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      April 25, 2013 12:58 PM

      "priorities in new technologies and mobile" -- translation: If you can't help us port Madden and Sims to next gen consoles and phones, we can't make money off you.

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      April 25, 2013 4:19 PM

      christ guess simcity will never get fixed

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        April 26, 2013 11:34 AM

        Fixing Simcity is not in the budget. The only thing in the budget is people buying Simcity.

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      April 25, 2013 5:55 PM

      This story as reported on other sites is a case study in why video game "journalism" is anything but. A youtube personality says he knows that 2000 people got cut, Kotaku posts that 10% of our workforce was let go, and the games media echo chamber takes the assertions as fact with at best a "rumor" qualification. Sigh... I hope at least all my ex-colleagues land on their feet.

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      April 25, 2013 6:09 PM

      They ran an internal survey:

      Do you think the new SimCity is a good game? [ ] Yes [ ] No

      Then proceeded to fire everyone who said No.

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