Electronic Arts Australia (development) is no more.
I rang them a few days ago to check they got my showreel, and was told that the development arm has been shut down recently.
Bummer.
Anyone know what's happened to the people working there? I know they were working on The Sims GBA...
I heard EA Australia was closing up shop a while ago - probably on Bigkid I think.. Couldn't find any more news or details on it. They didn't have a website, did they? (well, the one they did have was more games related).. aaanyway, thanks for the news. I've put them on the 'inactive' list on the dev page.
Glenn, Glenn, Glenn.... haven't you looked at the rest of my website? [;)] I've had Creative's profile and info up for ages..
http://www.sumea.com.au/sdevelopersprofile.asp?developer=10
"The Creative Assembly, the developers of the innovative, award-winning and hugely successful Medieval: Total War and Shogun: Total War have expanded their operation overseas. George Fidler, previously the Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts Australia heads the new team, in Fortitude Valley - Brisbane, Australia"
quote:Originally posted by Blitz
Not surprising. From what i hear EA have not done too well in the last year or 2, with most of their online game projects going tits up.
(And that Majestic(?) thing didn't help either)Originally posted by Daemin
Also I think EA, along with all the other International Publisher / Game Developers, are closing down shops all over the place, and only keeping their biggest and best facilities open. Mainly becuase you hear of all of them not making profits etc.
From Shacknews
quote:
Electronic Arts today announced their latest quartely results (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030129/tc_nm/media_…), and once again the numbers are impressive with a 48% revenue increase and $250 million in net profits. Not all is well for the employees of EA though, as the company will consolidate studios in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Irvine - in order to create one big studio in Los Angeles. According to this story(http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/030129/media_electronicarts_earns_1.html), about 50 jobs will be lost. Las Vegas is the location of Westwood Studios, and it means this company will shut down. Same goes for EA Pacific (recently finished C&C Generals) which is in Irvine. Thanks HomeLAN Fed. Update: HomeLAN Fed has has a further update on the news (http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=11692). Most of the C&C Generals team (EA Pacific) will move to the new LA studio, and new C&C games are planned. For those of you worried about Earth & Beyond, the servers and support will be moved to the EA Redwood Shores studios which also houses the Motor City Online servers.
42% revenue increase!!! It all reminds me of Australian Banks.. record profits, and shutting up locations to maximise even more profit$.. I hope EA doesn't bid for Vivendi Universals game sector for that reason.
It's all about good business sense nowadays!!!
I wouldn't dream that they'd care about any of the people they've laid off as a result of the downsizing...to the dudes at the top of the chain, it's *good* news to have less employees and a more centralised product development process. Makes for good stockholder and investor reports - as shown :)
Snootchie bootchies!
Any off-topic issues send to maitrek@austarmetro.com.au
Business is a whole lot about the boom-bust cycle - from what I've inferred. First the company gets bigger, hiring more staff, creating more jobs, getting more capital, then once some tougher times hit they lay off employees, and concentrate their efforts on only a few key aspects. Then once that's over they'll start hiring one more and the cycle will continue.
Not surprising. From what i hear EA have not done too well in the last year or 2, with most of their online game projects going tits up.
(And that Majestic(?) thing didn't help either)
CYer, Blitz