EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

[CptainCrunch]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Exactly what Whiskey said. They dont even TRY to come out with a game unless the bean counters think it will be a hit. They will buy up a game maker and kill the title if the mythical numbers dont add up.

You keep doing that and you only end up with a small handful of new releases and nothing fresh.

Sometimes you have to take some risk. I know risk is scary in business but when you are a giant like EA, you do the risk when you can afford it and sometimes it pays off and you learn when it doesnt.

Crunch

[imported_Whiskey]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Its a sign of them starting to "cut the fat".

And there's a lot of "fat" to cut. EA has become very bloated over the yrs, with way too much middle-management. There are a lot of people working there who don't give a crap about gaming, nor are they even competent in the jobs that they do. The company has become overly dependent on reports and process, and useless jobs have been created because of that over the yrs.

Although it's impossible to know if these comprise a lot of the people who were cut, they sure as hell should be. It's due to a lot of this bloat, and some very poor direction/management at the core of many franchises (Exec Producers & some key Studio General Managers), that the quality of EA's games has suffered over the last 5-ish yrs.

If they can get rid of the leeches who are only there to collect a paycheck and put "EA" on their resume, then you'll start seeing quality products again.

[RocketChild]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

yea i know the market is really bad. i think all compaines are being hit some way.

Were bouts in Austin. I am North Side. Wells Branch area.

620/Stone Canyon. I was driving down Wells Branch three days ago. If you know whom SgtMattBaker (I think he is the one), used to live in RR, a few blocks from me also. Kinda a small world sometimes.

[TGL|TXGrunt]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Yeah, I hate seeing people loosing work...but the truth of it is...EA kills people employment so often it is not funny. Here in Austin, there have been a few software companies that were bought up by EA. And the stories you hear about what they do to companies...they are almost as bad as the record industry. They will only publish a title if they think it is a Top 5 title. And if it is not, then they will shelf it, no matter how much time was spent buy the company that made it, EA will not distribute it and maintain the rights.

On a list of ugly companies...I rate EA up there with Nike. A side of me things the world would be a better place without EA. It is nice having one place that can distribute titles...but it is just like the current music sales paradigm. Direct sales are a reality with gaming...with a simple middle-man like Steam, with low royalties on sales, the market for games could have a great future.

yea i know the market is really bad. i think all compaines are being hit some way.

Were bouts in Austin. I am North Side. Wells Branch area.

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

"EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees"
Good to see that you are thinking positive.

While it's never a good thing when people loose their jobs, as far as I am concerned it's not enough!

In the long run the best thing that could happen for their employees, customers and the gaming community in general, is if EA just went away.

While I am sure their employees & stock holders may not agree with the comments I have made, my advice to you folks is next time make sure the company you work for or invest in at least knows the definition of the word ethics because the folks running EA don’t have a clue.

With that being said let what just happen serve as a clear warning to the rest of the talented folks working for EA of how you can expected to be treated down the road because unless EA changes how it conducts itself this is bound to start happening more and more.

I just want to clarify the statement "as far as I was concerned it's not enough" I am refering to how much money they lost not the number of folks loosing their jobs.

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

EA can go to hell.

Agreed, If they need a ride I will volunteer to take them.... :thumbsup:

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

EA can go to hell.

[teetsaar123]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

:yay:

"EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees"
Good to see that you are thinking positive.

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

:yay:

[=98=]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

The gaming industry is one of the only that is increasing in sales during this recession ... somehow EA doesn't see that..

Just because on average something is growing, it doesn't mean everyone is. They are probably cutting jobs and costs in order to continue growth.

Think about it before you post :)

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

The gaming industry is one of the only that is increasing in sales during this recession ... somehow EA doesn't see that..

[CptainCrunch]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Yeah, with credit being the way it is, it would be hard for any company to keep monies flowing in.

Not to mention how EA pulled out of the PC side with their sports, which they are famous for. Its a sign of them starting to "cut the fat".

They do have a list of large games out dont they? Like Crysis?

Crunch

[=98=]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

This is probably down to the closure of the EA Los Angeles office, where the Command and Conquer FPS was being made. I think there were significant losses being made there and the games being developed in that area weren't seen to be worth the costs.

I have to say, i believe a lot of this will be down to the global credit crunch. A recent news article said the gaming market is booming, which is true, but they don't take into account the fact that publishers and developers rely on a lot more than just games sales.

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Agreed.. EA produces buggy games, has horrible support, includes DRM that punishes their customers etc so I would be disappointed if they continued making lots of money. If they would disappear then people would spend their money on other stuff, creating more jobs in some other company :)

[RocketChild]

Re: EA Loses $310 Million, Lays off 600 Employees

Yeah, I hate seeing people loosing work...but the truth of it is...EA kills people employment so often it is not funny. Here in Austin, there have been a few software companies that were bought up by EA. And the stories you hear about what they do to companies...they are almost as bad as the record industry. They will only publish a title if they think it is a Top 5 title. And if it is not, then they will shelf it, no matter how much time was spent buy the company that made it, EA will not distribute it and maintain the rights.

On a list of ugly companies...I rate EA up there with Nike. A side of me things the world would be a better place without EA. It is nice having one place that can distribute titles...but it is just like the current music sales paradigm. Direct sales are a reality with gaming...with a simple middle-man like Steam, with low royalties on sales, the market for games could have a great future.