Why EA has fired employees working on its 'Battlefield' game
What's the story
Electronic Arts (EA) has laid off an undisclosed number of employees from its Battlefield teams, including those at Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studios. The decision was made as part of a "realignment" across the studios. Despite the layoffs, all four studios will continue to operate and support Battlefield 6 after its launch.
Statement
EA's statement on the layoffs
Responding to IGN's inquiry about the layoffs, an EA spokesperson said, "We've made select changes within our Battlefield organization to better align our teams around what matters most to our community." They further emphasized that "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."
Game performance
Battlefield 6 was the best-selling game in the US
Battlefield 6 was the best-selling game in the US in 2025, selling a "record shattering" seven million copies within three days. However, since its launch, the game has struggled with player retention. On Steam, concurrent players have dropped from a peak of 747,440 at launch to a recent high of just over 67,000.
Corporate shifts
EA is being acquired for $55B
The layoffs come at a time when EA is being acquired for $55 billion by an investor group that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, as well as Affinity Partners. Also, Battlefield franchise chief Vince Zampella died in a car accident last December, creating a major leadership void.