Skate Studio Also Hit With Cuts as Scope of EA’s Mass Layoffs Becomes Clearer
EA has announced significant mass layoffs affecting multiple development studios. The company is closing down BioWare, the legendary developer behind the Mass Effect franchise. Additionally, Full Circle, the studio behind the recent live-service skating game Skate, has also been impacted with staff reductions as part of the same cost-cutting measures.
While the initial EA memo briefly mentioned Skate as an ongoing active project, an undetermined number of developers at Full Circle have been let go. Among those affected was John Epler, a seasonal creative director at the studio, who announced his departure on LinkedIn. Epler noted that his role had been eliminated after spending 19 years in the game industry, with all that time at EA.
The scope of EA’s restructuring appears extensive, affecting multiple studios and projects simultaneously. The impact on live-service titles like Skate remains uncertain, though the layoffs raise questions about the studio’s ability to maintain and develop the game going forward.