EA Layoffs: EA cuts jobs across every Battlefield 6 studio in 'realignment:' DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive all hit

Electronic Arts has carried out undisclosed layoffs across every studio that worked on Battlefield 6 — DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect and Motive — in what the company is calling a "realignment," The Times of India reports, citing an initial report from IGN. EA confirmed the cuts affect all four studios simultaneously but said each will remain operational and continue supporting Battlefield 6. The moves come months after the title became the best-selling game in the US in 2025 and follow a turbulent period for the franchise and the publisher.

"We've made select changes within our Battlefield organization to better align our teams around what matters most to our community," an EA spokesperson said. "Battlefield remains one of our biggest priorities."

Context and details

Battlefield 6 launched in October 2025 to record sales, which EA described as "the biggest launch in franchise history," moving over seven million copies in just three days and helping drive net revenue of more than $1.9 billion in Q3 FY26. Despite that strong start, player retention has eroded: Steam concurrent players dropped from a launch peak of 747,440 to a recent 24-hour high of 67,080. The game's free-to-play battle royale spinoff, Redsec, has also fallen into "Mostly Negative" territory on Steam.

• Studios affected: DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, Motive.
• Launch sales: over seven million copies in three days (October 2025).
• Q3 FY26 net revenue: exceeding $1.9 billion.
• Steam concurrent players: launch peak 747,440 → recent 24-hour high 67,080.
• Redsec user reception: slipped to Mostly Negative on Steam.
• Reported first by: IGN; covered by The Times of India (Mar 10, 2026).
• Upcoming content: a new Battlefield 6 map due March 17.
• Corporate backdrop: EA is being acquired for $55 billion by an investor group that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, with the deal expected to close in early 2027.
• Leadership gap: longtime Battlefield head Vince Zampella died in a car accident last December.

Outlook

The layoffs underscore a period of transition for EA. While the company insists Battlefield remains a priority, the cuts arrived amid an ongoing $55 billion acquisition and after the sudden death of Vince Zampella, a key figure for the franchise. EA's March 17 content drop will serve as an early test of the studio teams' ability to maintain momentum and support the live service.

With player metrics on Steam showing a steep decline from launch and Redsec receiving poor user sentiment, the publisher faces the twin challenges of stabilizing the player base and executing future content under new ownership. As the acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners is set to close in early 2027, further realignments within EA's development teams cannot be ruled out as the company adapts to both commercial performance and structural change.