Electronic Arts, the video game giant, has announced that it is cutting about 5 percent of its workforce. The company is also “sunsetting” some titles and stopping development of others it thinks will not be successful, according to chief executive Andrew Wilson.
“We are streamlining our company operations to deliver deeper, more connected experiences for fans everywhere that build community, shape culture, and grow fandom,” Wilson said in a message to employees posted online.
The company’s annual report last year indicated it had 13,400 employees, meaning about 670 positions are being eliminated.
The announcement came a day after Sony said it was cutting 8 percent of its global workforce, as video game makers find they’re not immune to the wave of layoffs seen recently in the tech industry.
Calling it “sad news,” PlayStation chief Jim Ryan said that the Sony reductions would affect 900 people across the globe, including video game studios.
Microsoft in January said it was laying off 1,900 people, or eight percent of staff, from its gaming division, following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Last year the wider tech industry lost 260,000 jobs according to layoffs.fyi, a California-based website that tracks the sector.
So far this year, layoffs are at 45,356, the site showed, from 176 companies.
Original from www.ibtimes.com