Forthcoming layoffs at EA, Mythic Studios
polycounter lvl 18
http://destructoid.com/restructuring-at-ea-mythic-studios-50896.phtml
hope this doesn't affect any of you from polycount.
hope this doesn't affect any of you from polycount.
Replies
If anyone gets affected on these boards please send over a PM and I can see if you could fit a role here at Blizzard.
Sorry guys.
we're always looking for artists at NCsoft Austin. feel free to send me a PM with a link to your portfolio.
Raven's looking for a few good men/women. Hit me up.
I hope you're not getting cut, Chris.
PS: This story is following way too closely behind them buying Bioware and Pandemic for so many millions, anyone know if/how much the two things are related?
cholden works at EA Mythic..
I hope you're not getting cut, Chris.
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Cholden, and like 9000 other Polycounters.
Hold on tight fellas!
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cholden works at EA Mythic..
I hope you're not getting cut, Chris.
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Cholden, and like 9000 other Polycounters.
Hold on tight fellas!
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QFT. I hope the PC guys at EA Mythic don't get cut. But its cool seeing the above posts with dudes stepping up to sort them out with similar positions. Mad props to you guys!
Good luck is all I can truly say.
-caseyjones
Truth? No idea.
I wish you guys the best of luck, and sure as hell hope you all make it.
Marcus
Artist - Kaos Studios
and of course, PM me if you're looking for work.
EA has such a nice tint to its name these days.
This is why I don't document my tools and code. (kidding but wouldn't be if I worked at an EA studio...)
John
completely overblown, like.. WAY overblown.
Looks like I'm joining into a great company!
One friend even told me that once you get hired at EA you better start applying somewhere else.
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He's probably not very good then. They usually let the crappy people go.
Glad to hear that things were all blown out of proportion and you guys are all gainfully employed.
adambrome
completely overblown, like.. WAY overblown.
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Good to hear it. Keep the sock rocking goin'.
WOW! It's awesome to see you guys come forth in support and offering to pick us up if we fall.
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Agreed. Very cool to see the community looking out for each other like this.
I'm going to have to echo Rhino in saying that it is being WAY overblown. All of us PC Mythic folk are fine. It was a very small number of people and actually a common practice in our industry (sadly).
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One friend even told me that once you get hired at EA you better start applying somewhere else.
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He's probably not very good then. They usually let the crappy people go.
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Yea, cuz we all know: EA stands for quality
Spark
P.S: PM me with those good portfolios if needed
personaly think layofs are not always a bad thing, sometimes people are hired that are not right for the job, and even after potential years of moving them around trying to find a place for them. eventualy you just have to let them go. If they are worth their salt they will find another job.
I've been here since ea has bought the company, and i havent feared a layoff at all.
i think since i have been at ea mythic / mythic entertainment that besides this only ... 1 or 2 people have ever been let go. thats nearly 5 years. and less than 10 peopel fired.. in a company of over 200. i really dont see where thats a crazy thing.
Spark
Anyone from here work there?
here's the memo:
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FROM FRANK GIBEAU
Today we are announcing the closure of our studio in Chicago. This is a difficult decision but we are convinced it's the right thing to do for the future of the Games Label and EA.
Within the EA Games Label, we are committed to running each franchise and facility as a city/state, teams with unique creative identities as well as responsibility for product quality, ship dates and profitability. We recognize that games require large investments and extended development cycles. We're willing to take risks, make long-term investments, and to support teams and individuals between launches. But each team is responsible for staying on a reasonable path to profitability. Sticking to that strategy is what gives us the financial resources and flexibility to take risks on new projects.
Unfortunately, EA Chicago hasn't been able to meet that standard. The location has grown dramatically in the past three years while revenue from the games developed there has not. The number of employees has grown from 49 in 2004 to 146 people currently in the new facility in downtown Chicago. As it stands, EA Chicago has no expectation of hitting our profitability targets until FY2011 or later.
Closing EA Chicago is the toughest decision I've made in my career - one that in no way reflects on the talent and dedication of the people who work there. I've enjoyed their games and consider GM Kudo Tsunoda to be one of the best creative minds in our industry. The people impacted by this decision will be treated fairly - we're offering relocation opportunities to many and there will be outplacement assistance and severance for all eligible employees.
I know this decision will be unsettling to many beyond those who work in Chicago. It's important that you understand that we are willing to take creative risks and make long-term investments in people and projects. But the city/state philosophy demands that every project be committed to delivering a reasonable expectation of profitability. It's a performance commitment that binds us together and ensures we have the resources we need to invest back into our people and creative output.
Finally, when EA announced our quarterly earnings last week, John and Warren referenced facility closures. We had planned to include Chicago in that communication but a personal tragedy in the studio - the death of a colleague - resulted in our delaying the announcement out of respect for his family and friends. I apologize for any confusion or concern that caused.
I think you'll find that in addition to tackling some serious challenges, we are making great progress on our business. Consumers have responded well to our new IP and quality scores are tracking up. We are proud of our recent hits, such as Skate and the success we have made in making a solid game with The Simpsons. And we're looking forward to breakout hits like Need For Speed Pro Street, Rockband, Burnout Paradise, Battlefield Bad Company, Army of Two, Crysis, and more in the future with Mass Effect and Mercenaries 2 World in Flames.
We're definitely headed in the right direction.
Frank
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this studio: http://www.eaukstudio.com/ea.asp
i like that line from the page (quote taken out of context!): "Electronic Arts has been firing on all cylinders, setting a global standard"
i like that line from the page (quote taken out of context!): "Electronic Arts has been firing on all cylinders, setting a global standard"
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heh, ouch.
unlucky people who are in those studios, hopefully they'll either get moved around within the company to a more stable location, or get work elsewhere.
for any of those reading who might work there, Splash Damage are still hiring artists in the UK, get your applications in!
There was a move some time ago to move development out of Chertsey back to Guildford. Im pretty sure that EA Chertsey is staying put, just mainly publishing, ops etc now.
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EA Chicago has no expectation of hitting our profitability targets until FY2011 or later.
It's important that you understand that we are willing to take creative risks and make long-term investments in people and projects.
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