EA Announces Layoffs Amidst Acquisition and Restructuring

Electronic Arts, the publishers of popular games such as Battlefield 6 and The Sims, have recently announced a new round of layoffs as part of their efforts to adapt to the changing needs of fans. While the exact number of employees affected is unknown, the layoffs have impacted various departments including recruitment, IT, customer support, and the “trust and safety” division responsible for promoting positive interactions among EA players and streamers.

Reports from Kotaku indicate that the layoffs have affected remote roles in the USA as well as seasoned EA staff in Hyderabad, India. Among those who have confirmed their departure is Diana Cornejo, a former lead recruiter at EA, who shared on LinkedIn that her time with the company has come to an end as part of the recent layoffs.

An email obtained by Kotaku, sent to EA’s Fan Care team by an internal department head, references the company’s efforts to better meet fans’ changing needs through role changes, creation of new roles, and reassignment of work to different teams, locations, or service partners. This news follows previous rounds of layoffs earlier this year, including cuts at Skate developers Full Circle and the Battlefield 6 team.

These developments are occurring in the context of EA’s acquisition by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s state investment fund, backed by a substantial $20 billion loan. Speculation about using generative AI to reduce operating costs has been met with skepticism, especially considering the financial struggles of leading genAI companies. Critics have raised concerns about the acquisition, with union leaders accusing it of prioritizing investor profits and US senators highlighting Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

When approached by Kotaku for comment on the layoff reports, EA declined to provide a statement. The company’s response to inquiries about the layoffs remains pending.