Publisher insists UK 'remains a vital game development center for EA'
Electronic Arts has begun a formal consultation process at EA Bright Light, with redundancies and outright studio closure both possible.
The Guildford studio, which most recently worked on a Harry Potter game for EA, recently underwent an internal review of current and future projects.
“After a review, Electronic Arts has started a formal consultation process with its Bright Light employees over the proposed closure of the studio," read an EA statement issued to GamesIndustry.biz
"Employees that are impacted will be considered for positions at other EA Studios including those in the UK," the note read.
EA said the closure is part of its aim to “help centralise development on future projects, reduce development costs and will allow for better knowledge and talent sharing within the organisation".
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“The UK is a vital centre of game development for EA and we intend to maintain a strong presence here,” the company added.
If Bright Light closes, it would leave Electronic Arts with only two UK studios - the Burnout group Criterion and social games firm PlayFish. EA closed its Warrnington studio in 2006.
Will the last person leaving EA please turn out the Bright lights.....
How is Riccitiello still in a job? He's worse than Fred Goodwin for Shareholder value
Working at Bright Light was the worst job of my career. The temporary nature of their contracts and the reliance on outsourcing was a joke. Employing people for 11 months a year so they are not legally counted as employees, then expecting them to make a great game! Never going to happen. The entire art team were contract staff, why should they do crazy overtime for you with no incentive? The nature of their business practices stopped them from making even better than average game!
"If Bright Light closes, it would leave Electronic Arts with only one studio (in the UK) - the Burnout group Criterion"
That's not correct: EA Playfish is based in London and is well over 100 staff, they made The Sims Social, FIFA Superstars, Pet Society, Restaurant City, ...
