As reported by IGN, EA has laid off an unknown number of staff across the Battlefield Studios team. Studios affected include employees at Criterion, DICE, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studio. These layoffs come after Battlefield 6 had a successful launch, with 7 million copies sold in the first three days, an estimated 20 million units sold in total, and an all-time peak of 747,440 players on Steam alone.
When asked about the specific reasons for the layoffs, an EA spokesperson told IGN that changes were made internally to “better align our teams around what matters most to our community.” Regarding the future of the Battlefield franchise, the spokesperson added 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.” EA is also currently in the process of being acquired by an investor group composed of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, in a transaction estimated at $55 billion. However, IGN understands that internally EA has stated the layoffs are unrelated to the acquisition.
While Battlefield 6 was a success with a high player count, in recent months the game has struggled to maintain its live service elements. Seasons have been delayed, and the team has faced backlash following accusations of AI-generated content. From an all-time peak of 747,440 players, the most recent 24-hour peak is currently 67,080. The monetization and in-game store have also been heavily criticized by players, both for the prices and the skins’ art style. Many players argue that the cosmetics break from the realistic soldier aesthetic the studio promised.
Battlefield 6 currently holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam, as well as its REDSEC Battle Royale mode. While the team promised a return to form, some players in the Steam reviews believe the game still has a long way to go before achieving that. Do you think Battlefield 6 has gone back to its roots? Let us know in the comments below, and for more news on the Battlefield franchise, stay tuned to GameObserver.
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