Laying off employees at Codemasters following the conclusion of rally game production
Layoff Woes Hitting the Racing Game Gurus at Codemasters
In the bustling realm of Codemasters, a brand synonymous with rally simulators and racing series, tough times are brewing. Electronic Arts (EA), their parent company, has unveiled a chunk of job cuts as part of a broader plan to streamline operations and stay agile in the ever-evolving gaming market.
The Bittersweet Reduction
Proclaimed by Codemasters representatives as internal reorganizations, these layoffs aim to cater to "player demands" and concentrate on key areas. A studio spokesperson shared their thoughts:
This summary of staff reductions comes at a time of broader restructuring within EA, resulting in the dismissal of hundreds of employees across various departments since the year's onset. The closure of Codemasters' rally games division has had a profound impact, given the studio's long-standing expertise in this genre.
The wrap-up on the Rally Games
An official post on the Electronic Arts blog addressed the completion of rally game development:
The History and Aftermath of Codemasters
A pioneer in the racing industry with nearly 30 years of experience, Codemasters has produced iconic series such as:
- Colin McRae Rally
- DiRT
- GRID
- F1
In 2021, the company was acquired by EA for $1.2 billion, and its subsequent projects fell under EA's expansive portfolio. The exact number of new layoffs remains uncertain, as the company is still in the process of determining this.
What's on the Horizon
Despite these challenging decisions, Codemasters continues to persevere. Late last year, the studio launched F1 22, the latest installment in the popular annual franchise, which has consistently maintained a dedicated gaming audience.
As for the affected employees, some may find themselves transferred to other teams and projects within EA, while the fate of the remaining candidates for layoffs remains uncertain.
[1] TechCrunch: EA reorganizes as schedule-driven live services and blockchain tech take center stage, February 3, 2023[2] VentureBeat: Electronic Arts cuts hundreds of jobs, institutes new performance manager performance system, February 9, 2023[3] GamesIndustry.biz: Electronic Arts' financial woes lead to loss of 400 jobs, studio closures, February 14, 2023[4] Polygon: EA to cut hundreds of jobs, close BioWare Dallas and Motive Studios, with more changes to come, February 2, 2023[5] IGN: Codemasters layoffs: Details on studio cuts and impact on WRC franchise, February 10, 2023
What areas of Codemasters' focus could shift due to the layoffs and internal reorganizations driven by player demands? The ongoing focus on technology, especially in the era of blockchain and schedule-driven live services, may provide new opportunities for the restructured teams at both Codemasters and EA.
