Just When You Thought Things Couldn't Get Worse...

Summary

Enders discusses a Vertical Slice article based on interviews with current and former EA employees, presenting it as evidence of severe internal problems following layoffs and studio closures.

• Disruptive, unclear layoffs: Employees reportedly received little information about who was being let go or how work would continue. Some learned that colleagues had been laid off only through LinkedIn posts. Interviewees said projects were left in limbo as remaining teams tried to determine what had been completed and how to redistribute responsibilities.
• Emotional toll and impersonal process: Sources described weeks of uncertainty and repeated news of colleagues losing their jobs. Layoff meetings were reportedly conducted over Zoom, with chat disabled and other participants hidden, leaving affected workers little opportunity to ask questions or speak with coworkers. Some said suggested internal jobs were unsuitable, including for remote staff.
• Low morale and pressure to adopt AI: One source described morale as terrible, saying the instruction to “do less, better” felt like doing the same work with fewer people. Employees said senior management was enthusiastic about generative AI tools such as Claude. Although AI reportedly was not formally mandatory, sources said the message was that staff had to get on board and that working without the tools could become difficult.
• Enders’ concerns about future games: He argues that layoffs, disorganization, and the push to adopt AI could damage the quality of upcoming EA games, specifically mentioning a possible next Battlefield or Star Wars Battlefront title. These are his predictions and concerns, not confirmed outcomes. He warns that publishers may use AI to reduce staffing while relying on marketing and established franchises to sell games.
• Broader industry outlook: Enders says he is pessimistic that these practices will change without a major industry-wide crisis, especially as consumers continue buying heavily marketed releases. He also recalls the closure of Marcus Lehto’s studio and says Lehto’s earlier criticism of EA seems restrained in light of the reported accounts.

Presenters and Contributors

• Enders — Presenter and commentator.
• Anonymous current and former EA employees — Sources quoted in the Vertical Slice article.
• Vertical Slice — Publication of the article discussed.