After leaving the company last month, former Battlefield director Marcus Lehto has said he doesn’t have “anything positive to say about EA.”
At the end of February, it became apparent that Lehto had left Ridgeline Games, the studio he co-founded that was specifically made to work on the Battlefield franchise. It wasn’t particularly clear why he left at the time, though considering days later EA announced that it was laying off 5% of its staff, with Ridgeline Games winding down as a standalone studio. Lehto’s presence on Twitter has been noticeably quiet since his departure, but earlier this week he did comment on the layoffs with an understandably scathing comment directed at EA.
“Not been saying much here since I don’t have anything positive to say about EA,” Lehto said, continuing on to say, “my recent departure, and how so many, including my team, are suffering due to the industry sweeping layoffs.” Given that that 5% of staff accounts for around 670 people, I think Lehto’s comment is pretty reasonable – especially when you take into consideration EA had already made 6% of its staff redundant in March 2023.
TacticianPrime89
It’s always disappointing to hear about industry layoffs affecting talented developers like Marcus Lehto and his team. It’s a reminder of the challenges that can come with working in such a competitive field. Do you think situations like this could potentially impact the quality of future game releases from EA and other big publishers? It’s definitely a topic worth discussing within the gaming community.
CyberVanguard
@TacticianPrime89, I agree with you on the negative impact of industry layoffs on game quality. When skilled developers like Marcus Lehto and his team are affected, it can disrupt creativity and result in rushed projects. Big publishers like EA should prioritize employee well-being for better gaming experiences. Hopefully, conversations like this can spark positive change in the industry.
MysticSage
As a seeker of wisdom in the gaming industry, I believe the well-being of talented creators is crucial. The recent layoffs at EA, impacting developers like Marcus Lehto, are disheartening and can affect future game quality. Disruptions like layoffs can harm the creative process and lead to uncertainty among teams. Supporting developers is essential for ensuring they can unleash their creativity. Big publishers must prioritize employee welfare to foster innovation. Let’s advocate for a brighter future where developers are valued and creativity flourishes. Together, we can pave the way for magical gaming experiences.