EA has laid off staff across its Battlefield teams, with workers at studios including Motive, Ripple Effect, DICE and Criterion reportedly let go.
That’s despite Battlefield 6 enjoying a significant, successful launch in October 2025, which reportedly ‘shattered’ records for EA. Battlefield 6 was the best-selling game of the year in the US and performed strongly in other regions, as well.
EA’s layoffs in Battlefield studios – quick links
What to know about the layoffs
Per a statement sent to IGN, EA is making ‘select changes’ to its Battlefield teams to ‘better align’ them around ‘what matters most to [its] 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,’ a spokesperson said.
As many will point out, gutting studios and letting staff go isn’t entirely the most productive way to invest in the franchise. While EA did not confirm how many staff were let go, or from which departments, it’s worth saying those departing contributed significantly to Battlefield 6‘s success.
Per analysis from IGN, and other recent reports, EA’s latest round of layoffs could be inspired by a drop-off for long-term Battlefield 6 play. Fans have reportedly been unhappy with an array of recent patch updates, including the arrival of some cosmetics allegedly created with generative AI, and a lack of fresh new content.
The start of the game’s second season of content was reportedly delayed due to this feedback, with more work required to satisfy the game’s community.
What’s next for Battlefield 6?
As recently outlined in a three-month roadmap, there are plans for new content to arrive in Battlefield 6 shortly. February saw the arrival of new weapons and maps. More items will be arriving in mid-March and in mid-April. That will include a new bonus path for the game’s battle pass, new limited-time modes, a new vehicle, and more.
It’s unclear whether this previously-announced content will be changed due to behind-the-scenes movements, or whether plans are being reworked.
As noted, Battlefield 6 is currently contending with significant player drop-off. Peak concurrents have gone from around 745,000 users on PC at launch to around 50,000 at peak. While that’s relatively normal for games, it appears EA has longer-term plans for Battlefield 6, with the aim of keeping players engaged in its ecosystem for the coming year.
What those plans look like, with layoffs hitting tenured staff, remains to be seen. As always in cases like this, our thoughts are with those developers now out of work, in one of the toughest times for the games industry yet.
Also on ScreenHub: Nagoshi Studio reportedly faces closure as NetEase pulls essential funding
Nagoshi Studio, the development team founded by Yakuza franchise creator and Sega veteran Toshihiro Nagoshi, could reportedly be facing closure as publisher NetEase shrinks its gaming investments. The news arrives just a few months after Nagoshi Studio announced its debut title, Gang of Dragon, which appears to be a spiritual successor to the Yakuza series.
Per a report from Bloomberg, staff at Nagoshi Studio were recently told that NetEase planned to pull essential funding for Gang of Dragon, impacting studio cashflow and its possible future. Sources alleged that NetEase was unwilling to continue funding the project beyond May, as additional funds of around ¥7 billion (AU$63.4 million) were reportedly required to see the project to completion.
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