Layoff Monster Hits EA Black Box

[DoctorFinger]

Another depressing bit of industry news. Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21974) is reporting that EA's Black Box studio - developers of the Skate and Need for Speed franchises - has laid off a majority of it's staff.

The studio has reportedly laid off 200 staff members, the company's website lists it's headcount at 350. Many of the remaining employees are being offered positions elsewhere within the company, in particular at EA's nearby studio in Burnside. Last month EA had announced (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=3763) the closure of Black Box, with it's current projects and many of it's employees moving to the afore mentioned Burnside facility. This seems to be the final step in that closure.

Source - Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21974).

[Johan]

I'm building a boat. This "flood" just keeps on coming. :(

[Mortis]

This is terrible. I know they botched the latest need for speed but Skate and Skate 2 are great games. At least some of them are getting jobs elsewhere within the company.

[bapenguin]

I'm building a boat. This "flood" just keeps on coming. :(

Tell me about it. I put this (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/1162/Layoffs_are_NOT_Co-Op.html) together this morning and couldn't believe it.

[Telefrog]

That sucks. Although the NFS series has needed to take an extended break for a while, Skate was awesome.

I guess this means Skate 3 is going to be from some other entity in EA.

[Johan]

Tell me about it. I put this (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/1162/Layoffs_are_NOT_Co-Op.html) together this morning and couldn't believe it.

I wanted to thank you for compiling that, but it was so depressing I think I have to reconsider. :(

[Wackman3000]

That sucks. Although the NFS series has needed to take an extended break for a while, Skate was awesome.

I guess this means Skate 3 is going to be from some other entity in EA.

They start the layoffs before even seeing how their new game does sales wise? That kinda shows just how bad things must be over at some of these studios that even a possible successful game can't save jobs.

I'm loving Skate 2 so far and it would be a real shame if they butcher up a 3rd iteration of this game because it wasn't made by the same team.

[Purple Santa]

Ouch. Where is that argument now about the gaming industry being recession proof?

[biosc1]

Crap....now it's starting to hit close to home :(

[BlackPete]

Burnside? You mean Burnaby, right?

And yes, I'm pretty upset about this news... I knew a lot of people who were affected.