Rumors have been swirling of massive layoffs at Mythic Entertainment and other development studios under Electronic Arts such as Tiburon and Black Box Studios. Mythic Entertainment is perhaps most famous for the Warhammer Online MMORPG.
Initial reports hint at up to 80 layoffs from Mythic which could be as much as 40% of the developer staff. Hundreds of other employees from other development studios are included. EA recently completed a purchase of Playfish social gaming publisher for $300 million.
John Schappert from EA announced that over 12 titles in development have been cut from production as part of a cost reduction plan in a “targeted cost reduction which will allow a greater investment in our hit titles and digital businesses.”
It looks like the final tally is 1500 jobs being cut from EA. Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello confirmed the number and said it was in response to the quarterly loss of $391 million. Layoffs should be completed by April 2010.
