What Developers Did EA Shut Down?
Electronic Arts (EA) has a history of acquiring and shutting down game development studios. Over the years, the company has acquired several studios, only to shut them down or integrate their teams into other studios. In this article, we will explore the list of developers that EA has shut down.
Every Game Developer EA Has Shut Down
Here is a list of game developers that EA has shut down:
- 7. Victory Games: Acquired by EA in 2011, Victory Games was shut down in 2013. The studio was working on the game Command & Conquer: Generals 2, which was eventually cancelled.
- 8. Black Box Games: Acquired by EA in 2005, Black Box Games was shut down in 2013. The studio was working on the game Need for Speed: Most Wanted, which was released in 2012.
- 9. Phenomic Game Development: Acquired by EA in 2007, Phenomic Game Development was shut down in 2013. The studio was working on the game The Sims Online, which was eventually cancelled.
- 10. Origin Systems: Acquired by EA in 1992, Origin Systems was shut down in 2004. The studio was working on the game Ultima Online, which was released in 1997.
- 11. PlayFish: Acquired by EA in 2009, PlayFish was shut down in 2013. The studio was working on the game The Sims Social, which was released in 2011.
- 12. Bullfrog Productions: Acquired by EA in 1997, Bullfrog Productions was shut down in 2001. The studio was working on the game Populous: The Beginning, which was released in 1998.
- 13. NuFx: Acquired by EA in 2004, NuFx was shut down in 2006. The studio was working on the game The Sims 2, which was released in 2004.
- 14. Westwood Studios: Acquired by EA in 1998, Westwood Studios was shut down in 2003. The studio was working on the game Command & Conquer: Generals, which was released in 2003.
Why Does EA Shut Down Developers?
EA has a history of shutting down developers, and there are several reasons why this happens. Here are some of the reasons:
- Financial Reasons: EA may shut down a developer if the studio is not profitable or if the game being developed is not meeting expectations.
- Integration: EA may shut down a developer if the studio is not integrated into the company’s overall strategy or if the studio’s culture is not aligned with EA’s culture.
- Talent Acquisition: EA may shut down a developer if the studio’s talent is not being utilized effectively or if the studio’s team is not being utilized in a way that aligns with EA’s goals.
Recent Acquisitions and Shut Downs
In recent years, EA has acquired several studios, including:
- Respawn Entertainment: Acquired by EA in 2017, Respawn Entertainment is a studio that was founded by Jason West and Vince Zampella, who were previously co-founders of Infinity Ward.
- BioWare: Acquired by EA in 2007, BioWare is a studio that was founded in 1995 and is known for developing games such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
- DICE: Acquired by EA in 2004, DICE is a studio that was founded in 1992 and is known for developing games such as Battlefield and Star Wars: Battlefront.
Conclusion
EA has a history of acquiring and shutting down game development studios. The company has shut down several studios over the years, including Victory Games, Black Box Games, Phenomic Game Development, Origin Systems, PlayFish, Bullfrog Productions, NuFx, and Westwood Studios. The reasons for shutting down a developer can vary, but financial reasons, integration, and talent acquisition are some of the common reasons.