Battlefield Studios Has Been Hit With Layoffs Despite Successfully Reinvigorating The Shooter Franchise

Reports have confirmed that EA has laid off staff from Battlefield Studios, including DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive.

As reported by IGN, an unknown number of staff members from across Battlefield Studios have been laid off, with the reasoning given as a “realignment” across the teams. Battlefield Studios is a combination of four teams: DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive. These layoffs have seemingly affected personnel across all studios, though we don’t currently have a breakdown or an exact number. A statement from EA, provided to IGN, reads, “We’ve made select changes within our Battlefield organisation to better align our teams around what matters most to our community. Battlefield remains one of our biggest priorities, and we’re continuing to invest in the franchise, guided by player feedback and insights from Battlefield Labs.”

Battlefield 6 just entered its second season of post-launch content, bringing with it a new map, mode, vehicle, and various weapons. We tried out the new content ahead of release and continue to enjoy the suite of changes now that they’re live, but it’s worth pointing out the rocky road travelled to get to launch. Battlefield 6 kicked off on a positive note, with many disenfranchised fans coming back to the series after the debacle that was Battlefield 2042. Strong critical reviews (we gave the game a 9) and excellent initial player numbers made it seem like the feeling had truly been restored, but wonky monetisation, the apparent use of generative AI for cosmetic items, and the slow rollout of meaningful new content began to rub the community the wrong way.

These concerns led to the delay of Season 2, and while the new content has largely been well received, concurrent player numbers have remained relatively low compared to those in the early days after launch. Beyond the content, the team has also been affected by the tragic passing of the Head of Battlefield Studios, Vince Zampella, which would undoubtedly have come as a severe shock to the entire team.

All of this sounds like doom and gloom, but Battlefield 6 destroyed sales records for the franchise and enjoyed a player peak of over 700,000 back in October, so it’s safe to say it’s been a resounding success. That’s why this news is particularly irritating. Yes, I understand that live service titles require a different approach when it comes to long-term support, but when you have a launch as massive as Battlefield 6’s, and you’re in need of an injection of goodwill to put smiles back on dials, wouldn’t you want all hands on deck? Furthermore, what is the measure of success that a team needs to achieve in order to avoid job losses? If seven million copies sold in a few days isn’t enough, then perhaps the C-suite needs to reevaluate its metrics.

Are you playing Battlefield 6, or have you dropped off? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.

Shoutouts to IGN.