EA Planning To Close Its Main Racing Studio As Part Of Future Layoffs

Summary

  • EA may lay off 400 employees, close Codemasters, integrate F1 devs, and work on new Need For Speed.
  • The rumor comes from a reliable source but is not official.
  • Codemasters’ acquisition aimed to boost EA’s racing franchises but only F1 has performed well.

After Electronic Arts scrapped the Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Games, there appear to be further job cuts looming within the gaming company.

It’s being speculated this time around that one of EA’s recently acquired studios might be undergoing significant changes, with possible layoffs and even a complete shutdown on the horizon.

EA Rumored To Be Targeting Codemasters Studio Closure

The most recent gossip originates from eXtas1s, who has proven accurate on several occasions regarding insider knowledge. Reportedly, the leaker claims, “Not just Black Panther’s cancellation, but also approximately 400 additional job cuts at EA, a complete shutdown of Codemasters’ main headquarters, and these employees will be assimilated into EA Sports (F1). Additionally, a new Need For Speed is currently in development.

As an ardent fan, I’ve been following the developments around eXtas1s closely, and while the news seems promising, it’s essential to remember that this isn’t official yet. A pinch of skepticism is in order. After all, EA recently put an end to their Rally racing franchise, a cornerstone of Codemasters’ gaming portfolio. This shift might hint at eXtas1s becoming part of the Codemasters family, but let’s wait for the official word before getting too excited.

In 2021, EA purchased Codemasters for an impressive $1.2 billion, gaining ownership over popular racing IPs like F1, Project CARS, GRID, Dirt, WRC, and more. This acquisition aimed to strengthen EA’s Need for Speed and Burnout racing series, but since then, only the F1 series has seen significant success.

When it comes to F1, the most recent version from EA has just been unveiled, and our review found both positives and constructive criticism. To put it simply, “EA Sports and Codemasters have produced the best Formula 1 game yet, a feat they manage every other year without fail. However, this excellence comes at the cost of repetition. F1 25 boasts stunning visuals, an exhilarating presentation that occasionally outshines the racing itself, and handling enhancements that break free from five years’ worth of series-related quirks.

It seems likely that, should the reports of Codemasters’ closure be true, we’ll receive an official announcement about it from EA in due time. Fingers crossed that, should this happen, those who lose their jobs are able to find new ones promptly.

Should the plan succeed, what might happen to Formula One (F1) series? Could it be that DICE (Criterion is a part of this) or another in-house Electronic Arts (EA) studio will assume control? There are still many questions that haven’t been addressed yet.

If the plan works out, what could happen to F1 series? Could it possibly be managed by DICE or some other EA internal studio? Many queries remain unanswered.)

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2025-05-30 01:08