Glad I missed that one!
News from EA, looks like they are closing ORIGIN systems and most of Maxis as well (?)
"EA Expects to Close Studios
Friday, Electronic Arts said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it intends to axe 117 jobs beginning in Q1, 2005. Recently, in the fourth quarter of the 2004 fiscal year, the company closed one studio in Austin, Texas, and most of its Walnut Creek, Calif., studio where Maxis and Origin Systems employees worked, respectively.
The filing stated: “The studio closures were the result of a strategic decision to consolidate local development efforts in Redwood City, California.” EA reported the majority of terminations will affect development and administrative positions.
Earlier this month, Viacom Chairman and Chief Executive Sumner Redstone dispelled speculation that the company would acquire EA due to the high estimated asking price: $20 billion."
-Gamasutra
I am glad I didn't get that job in Austin. EA has a fat head and are nothing but a sweatshop of creative professionals. They are going to be the downfall of creative gaming innovation because all they are worry about is $$ and don't give a dang about the art behind the games. This is one reason why I chose not to go into the game industry unless I was an independent studio. Companies like this are going to cause another industry crash, like we had back in the 80's. At least we still have some visionaries like Nintendos Shigeru Miyamoto. Sega used to make really unique games, but they gave not been very innovative since they got out of the hardware business. At least I still have Gran Tourismo and Resident Evil, two franchises that I hope EA never gets to touch.
"EA Expects to Close Studios
Friday, Electronic Arts said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it intends to axe 117 jobs beginning in Q1, 2005. Recently, in the fourth quarter of the 2004 fiscal year, the company closed one studio in Austin, Texas, and most of its Walnut Creek, Calif., studio where Maxis and Origin Systems employees worked, respectively.
The filing stated: “The studio closures were the result of a strategic decision to consolidate local development efforts in Redwood City, California.” EA reported the majority of terminations will affect development and administrative positions.
Earlier this month, Viacom Chairman and Chief Executive Sumner Redstone dispelled speculation that the company would acquire EA due to the high estimated asking price: $20 billion."
-Gamasutra
I am glad I didn't get that job in Austin. EA has a fat head and are nothing but a sweatshop of creative professionals. They are going to be the downfall of creative gaming innovation because all they are worry about is $$ and don't give a dang about the art behind the games. This is one reason why I chose not to go into the game industry unless I was an independent studio. Companies like this are going to cause another industry crash, like we had back in the 80's. At least we still have some visionaries like Nintendos Shigeru Miyamoto. Sega used to make really unique games, but they gave not been very innovative since they got out of the hardware business. At least I still have Gran Tourismo and Resident Evil, two franchises that I hope EA never gets to touch.