EA’s Layoffs Take a Toll on Apex Legends Community Team
As the wave of layoffs continues, a previous Respawn employee working on Apex Legends discloses being let go by EA recently.
Apex Legends team faces layoffs
Electronic Arts (EA) has made significant layoffs within the Apex Legends community team, adding to the 670 total layoffs planned company-wide. This comes as part of a trend in the gaming industry, where companies are canceling projects, closing studios, and downsizing their workforce.
Apex Legends Community Hit Hard
The layoffs at Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Apex Legends, are a result of EA’s restructuring efforts. Last month, CEO Andrew Wilson announced plans to let go of 5% of the company’s workforce, amounting to approximately 670 employees. According to Wilson, these layoffs are a response to the “accelerating industry transformation where player needs and motivations have changed significantly.”
One of the casualties of the layoffs is Alex Ackerman, the ex-Global Social Media Lead for Apex Legends. Ackerman, who had been with Respawn Entertainment for five years, shared her job loss on Twitter, mentioning that it was an honor for her to work on Apex Legends. Her announcement sparked a wave of supportive reactions from the community, with many expressing disappointment in EA’s decision to let go of someone who had been part of the game’s journey from Season 1 to Season 20.
Intensive Restructuring at EA
EA’s recent actions go beyond the layoffs in the Apex Legends community team. The company has been canceling projects, shutting down studios, and making job cuts across various departments. One of the canceled projects was a Star Wars-based FPS that was in development at Respawn Entertainment. Additionally, EA closed Ridgeline Games, a development studio focused on the Battlefield franchise. The company also announced the closure of several mobile games, including F1 Mobile Racing, MLB Tap Sports, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, and Kim Kardashian Hollywood.
Unfortunately, EA is not alone in its restructuring efforts. Other major players in the gaming industry, such as Riot Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Activision Blizzard, have also undergone organizational restructuring and layoffs. Game companies are reallocating resources to focus on projects with a higher chance of success. These decisions are driven by the rising costs of developing AAA games and the need to streamline operations after overhiring during the pandemic.
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The Layoff Storm Continues
The gaming industry is experiencing an alarming surge in layoffs. In 2023, a total of 10,000 employees were laid off, and in just over two months of 2024, the number has already reached 8,000. It is unclear how the industry will navigate this brutal storm of layoffs as the year progresses.
Q&A: What You Need to Know
Q: Why is EA laying off employees? A: EA is undergoing a restructuring process due to an “accelerating industry transformation” where player needs and motivations have changed significantly. This restructuring involves canceling projects, closing studios, and reducing the workforce.
Q: How many employees are being laid off? A: EA plans to let go of 5% of its workforce, which amounts to approximately 670 employees. The layoffs are expected to be completed by the first half of the next quarter.
Q: Are other gaming companies also laying off employees? A: Yes, many other gaming companies, including Riot Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Activision Blizzard, have undergone organizational restructuring and layoffs. The industry-wide trend is being driven by the rising costs of game development and the need to refocus resources.
Q: How can players support laid-off employees like Alex Ackerman? A: Players can show support by expressing their disappointment in the layoffs and thanking the affected employees for their contributions. It’s essential to understand that these decisions are made at a corporate level and aren’t reflective of the individuals’ talent or dedication.
References
- EA Layoffs: Apex Legends Team Reportedly Affected
- EA to Let Go of 5% of Workforce
- Activision Blizzard Undergoes Organizational Restructuring
