Layoff Monster Hits EA Black Box

DoctorFinger · 01-23-2009, 08:08 AM

Another depressing bit of industry news. Gamasutra 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 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.

Johan · 01-23-2009, 08:26 AM

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

Mortis · 01-23-2009, 08:35 AM

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 · 01-23-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johan

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

Tell me about it. I put this together this morning and couldn't believe it.

Telefrog · 01-23-2009, 08:53 AM

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 · 01-23-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapenguin

Tell me about it. I put this 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 · 01-23-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 01-23-2009, 10:46 AM

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

biosc1 · 01-23-2009, 10:49 AM

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

BlackPete · 01-25-2009, 05:47 PM

Burnside? You mean Burnaby, right?

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

01-23-2009, 08:08 AM	#1
DoctorFinger Editor in Chief Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 13,827 Blog Entries: 10	Layoff Monster Hits EA Black Box Another depressing bit of industry news. Gamasutra 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 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.

01-23-2009, 08:35 AM	#3
Mortis Darksiders II is awesome Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 947	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. __________________ Gamertag: Taerar PSN: Taerar-x Steam: Taerar

01-23-2009, 08:53 AM	#5
Telefrog Natural 20's! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lakewood, WA Posts: 4,866 Blog Entries: 3	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. __________________ Gamertag: Telefrog \| Zunecard: Telefrog \| Steam ID: Telefrog \| Impulse: Telefrog

01-23-2009, 10:46 AM	#8
Purple Santa The OTHER santa Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mr. Gnome's Garden Posts: 18,478	Ouch. Where is that argument now about the gaming industry being recession proof? __________________ Gamertag/PSN/Steam ID: Purple Santa/PurpleSanta I should get achievements for watching this~ ADDGirl Rails? The DAY/END threads don't need no stinking rails, they just meander like a drunk looking for a bench to flop down on~ Gorvi Hell, 'derail'? This is like calling the surface of the sun 'warmish'. Somewhat lacking in appropriate magnitude~ Jpublic That's too applied for my tastes. Math makes the most sense to me when it's reality bending abstraction. Or when it's evil~ Frederec

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-23-2009, 08:26 AM	#2
Johan Take it easy! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: I'm not dead yet. Posts: 4,269	I'm building a boat. This "flood" just keeps on coming.

01-23-2009, 10:49 AM	#9
biosc1 monoputer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,574	Crap....now it's starting to hit close to home

01-25-2009, 05:47 PM	#10
BlackPete Colonist Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,962	Burnside? You mean Burnaby, right? And yes, I'm pretty upset about this news... I knew a lot of people who were affected.