Battlefield 6 teams hit with layoffs despite ‘biggest launch in franchise history’

Even a record-breaking launch can’t seem to save developers from layoffs. According to a report from IGN, the various teams behind Battlefield 6 have been hit with an unspecified number of layoffs; that includes staff at EA studios Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect, and Motive, all of which contributed to the game.

In a statement to The Verge, EA confirmed the news but did not clarify the number of developers impacted. “We’ve made select changes within our Battlefield organization to better align our teams around what matters most to our community,” Justin Higgs, EA’s VP Corporate Communications, said. “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 launched last October with huge expectations, and at least initially it seemed to meet them. EA called the game “the biggest launch in franchise history,” citing seven million copies sold in just three days. It was also a particularly ambitious attempt to go up against the juggernaut that is Call of Duty, with EA creating a four-studio team to develop the game. However, Battlefield 6 appears to be yet another victim of the outsize expectations placed on live-service games, as publishers seek out the long-term revenue of games like Fortnite, despite the brutal competition. Last month another EA studio, Full Circle, the developer behind the live-service reboot of Skate, was also hit with layoffs.

The shooter space that Battlefield 6 entered into is particularly volatile. Later this week Highguard, a squad-shooter from the Tencent-backed studio Wildlight, will be shutting down permanently after less than two months since launch. It joins other short-lived, high-profile shooters like Sony’s Concord. It’s gotten to the point that even major productions like Bungie’s Marathon feel like they’re in a race to become instant hits.

The Battlefield 6 layoffs also come at a pivotal time for both EA and the franchise at large. The publisher is in the midst of a $55 billion buyout, while former Battlefield boss and Respawn cofounder Vince Zampella died unexpectedly in a car crash last year.

Update, March 9th: added statement from EA.