EA Shut Down Maxis

#1

Electronic Arts is closing Maxis, the studio behind the SimCity franchise, EA confirmed in a statement to Polygon today, following reports on Twitter from now-former employees of the company.

EA Press Release

Today we are consolidating Maxis IP development to our studios in Redwood Shores, Salt Lake City, Helsinki and Melbourne locations as we close our Emeryville location. Maxis continues to support and develop new experiences for current Sims and SimCity players, while expanding our franchises to new platforms and developing new cross-platform IP.

These changes do not impact our plans for The Sims. Players will continue to see rich new experiences in The Sims 4, with our first expansion pack coming soon along with a full slate of additional updates and content in the pipeline.

All employees impacted by the changes today will be given opportunities to explore other positions within the Maxis studios and throughout EA. For those that are leaving the company, we are working to ensure the best possible transition with separation packages and career assistance.

After the last few games it makes sense but what a sad day.

What are your thoughts @wenis?

#2

Being a game developer cog in a gigantic game publisher/developer has to be a gamble. Knowing that at any moment you’ll be laid off.

#3

No, just the ones who put out poorly recieved games.

#4

That’s unexpected. Spore, Darkspore, and SimCity were all disappointments, but I figured that The Sims would be enough to carry the studio.

#5

It was bound to happen sooner or later. EA doesn’t like studios that aren’t producing and tried as they did they just couldn’t get a project going that EA would back financially.

I’m safe tho, just being a contractor and being on The Sims instead.