Publisher Electronic Arts is continuing to prepare for the next generation by cutting out costs where it can. That includes dropping nearly 20 jobs over the last few days, an EA source confirms.
As Microsoft and Sony spool up for the next generation of console, Electronic Arts is bracing for the tough transition by enacting layoffs. This latest round of cuts is part of the effort the company began after its chief executive John Riccitiello left in March.
“In recent weeks, EA has aligned all elements of its organizational structure behind priorities in new technologies and mobile,” an EA spokesperson wrote in a statement in April. “This has led to some difficult decisions to reduce the workforce in some locations. We are extremely grateful for the contributions made by each of our employees — those that are leaving EA will be missed by their colleagues and friends.”
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show last week, EA revealed a next-gen-heavy strategy that includes games like first-person shooter Titanfall, third-person shooter Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, and sports games like FIFA 14. Titanfall even earned GamesBeat’s E3 Game of the Show award.
The publisher will combine its next-gen efforts with a deeper focus on mobile games. On mobile, EA is finding success with titles like The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Real Racing 3.
EA plans for this focused strategy, along with the cost cutting, to help it endure any potentially lean earnings due to the console transition.
“These are hard but essential changes as we focus on delivering great games and showing players around the world why to spend their time with us,” said the April EA statement.
EA’s board hasn’t appointed a new CEO. Former EA CEO and current executive chairman Larry Probst is handling those duties in the interim.