EA Layoffs Hit Battlefield Devs

EA is laying off an undisclosed number of Battlefield developers across Criterion, DICE, Ripple Effect, and Motive. The company claims these are "select changes" to align teams with community priorities and that they're still investing in the franchise. Despite the layoffs, *Battlefield 6* was the best-selling game in the U.S. in 2025 and the biggest launch in the franchise's history, selling over 7 million copies in its first three days. EA's Q3 net bookings jumped 38% to over $3 billion following the game's release. However, EA's net income declined by nearly 70% despite the revenue increase. This is reportedly due to large R&D costs and fees related to EA's acquisition by an investor consortium. The acquisition is expected to close in early 2027, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) gaining a majority stake. Since launch, *Battlefield 6* has struggled to maintain momentum, with Steam reviews dropping to "Mixed". Criticisms include heavy monetization, the use of generative AI in cosmetics, and a delay in the start of Season 2.