- EA has joined the trend of layoffs in 2024.
- The publisher is reducing its workforce by around 5%.
- It has also decided to limit its reliance on licensed IPs.
The gaming giant behind FiFa, Battlefield, and Need for Speed is considered one of the industry’s biggest publishers. However, like everyone else, it has gone ahead and confirmed a new wave of layoffs today.
Not too long ago, Microsoft let go of 1,900 Xbox employees. One day ago, PlayStation was the latest to join this trend, cutting around 900 jobs. EA now confirms 670 job cuts, reducing its workforce by 5%.
Why it matters: There seems to be no end to terrible reports in the gaming industry. In total, nearly 10,000 jobs have been lost in 2024 alone.
EA has announced they are laying off 5% of their workforce pic.twitter.com/EKyeP05YP7
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) February 28, 2024
EA broke the devastating news less than an hour ago. Confirming its restructuring plan, the gaming giant is letting go of hundreds of developers. The publisher also carried out layoffs last year, adding up to an 11% reduction in the workforce since 2023.
Meanwhile, EA has outlined new goals for its future. The gaming giant will rely on fewer licensed IPs. These include projects like last year’s smash hit Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
However, already-announced projects, like Iron Man and Black Panther, will not be impacted by this decision. Moving forward, the publisher hopes to focus on its own IPs, including the likes of Battlefield, many of which are expected to receive new entries soon.
Elsewhere, other reports state that Respawn’s unannounced first-person Star Wars shooter has been canceled. According to reliable sources, this game was based on The Mandalorian.
The gaming giant expects to have completed the restructuring by next quarter. It also states that employees will be assisted in finding new roles as the company treats each person with care and respect.
EA has thanked the workers for their contributions to its games over the years, but gaming seems to be headed in a concerning direction.
While many were quick to point fingers at Microsoft for its decision to lay off Activision Blizzard’s workers, that decision does not seem too inappropriate only weeks later. We can only hope that this will be the last of gaming layoffs. However, recent events suggest otherwise.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
