Melbourne-based development studio Firemonkeys may have just laid off up to 50% of its workforce, a report from Kotaku today states.
Kotaku says staff at the EA-owned studio were informed of layoffs earlier this week and also cites a statement from Game Workers Unite that says between 80-100 employees have been laid off. (UPDATE: That figure now has been revised to 40-50 people in a statement received by Stevivor). The studio’s unofficial count suggests Firemonkeys employs approximately 200 people.
“We recently made a decision to shift teams to focus more on our live services, and have entered into a consultation period that may impact some roles in the studio,” EA said in a statement to Kotaku. “We’re working to match skills with opportunities as we go through this period, identifying other opportunities at EA, and providing as much help to our employees as we possibly can.”
Our hearts go out to those in Melbourne impacted by the layoffs.
Firemonkeys is the studio responsible for mobile hits such as Real Racing 3 and The Sims: Freeplay.
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