Several staff members at Criterion Games, DICE, Ripple Effect Studios, and Motive Studio have been dismissed as part of a fresh round of internal restructuring.
Electronic Arts has initiated a new wave of layoffs, specifically targeting multiple studios currently involved in the development of the Battlefield franchise. The reductions have impacted personnel at Criterion Games, DICE, Ripple Effect Studios, and Motive Studio, though the publisher has yet to disclose the exact number of positions eliminated.
Management reportedly informed the affected staff that these cuts are the result of a “resource reallocation” strategy designed to streamline development across the franchise’s various pillars. Despite the downsizing, all four studios are slated to remain operational and continue their contributions to the series.
Paradoxically, these layoffs coincide with a period of commercial triumph for the latest entry in the series. Battlefield 6 emerged as the top-selling title in the United States for 2025, moving an impressive 7 million copies within its first three days—marking the most successful launch in the franchise’s history. While the multiplayer experience was generally well-received by the community, critics were notably more reserved regarding the game’s single-player narrative.
However, the momentum has faltered in the months following release. The game has been plagued by ongoing controversies, with each subsequent update drawing ire from the player base. Fans have criticized fundamental changes to movement mechanics, the aesthetic direction of cosmetics, and the implementation of aggressive monetization. Furthermore, the use of generative AI for crafting in-game items sparked significant backlash. Consequently, user sentiment on Steam has plummeted, sliding from “Mostly Positive” to “Mixed” in just a three-month window.
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Source: iXBT.games