EA Announces Layoffs at Battlefield Studios Following Record-Breaking Year
Electronic Arts (EA) is restructuring its Battlefield studios, resulting in layoffs across multiple teams despite a record-breaking year for the Battlefield 6 franchise. The cuts impact employees at DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studios, according to reports from IGN and Kotaku.
Record Sales Mask Underlying Issues
Battlefield 6 was the best-selling game in the United States in 2025, selling a record-shattering 7 million copies in its first three days and becoming the franchise’s best launch ever. Though, EA is proceeding with the layoffs as part of a “realignment” to better focus teams around community priorities and ongoing live service support for the game.
Studio Restructuring and Future Investment
All four Battlefield studios – DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive – will remain operational. EA stated, “We’ve made select changes within our Battlefield organization to better align our teams around what matters most to our community. Battlefield remains one of our biggest priorities, and we’re continuing to invest in the franchise, guided by player feedback and insights from Battlefield Labs.”
Criticism and Declining Player Sentiment
Despite the initial success, Battlefield 6 has faced criticism in the months following its launch. Players have voiced concerns regarding patch quality, cosmetic issues, movement mechanics, and a perceived lack of content updates. Steam reviews have shifted to “Mixed” from an initial “Mostly Positive” rating, indicating declining player satisfaction. Concerns have similarly been raised regarding monetization practices and the leverage of generative AI for in-game cosmetics.
DICE’s Legacy and Continued Development
DICE, the original creator of the Battlefield series, remains a key component of Battlefield Studios. The studio has a 30-year history of developing award-winning games, including the Battlefield, Star Wars Battlefront, and Mirror’s Edge franchises. DICE is now focused on building the next generation of Battlefield experiences.
EA’s Ambitious Goals
Reports indicate that EA had ambitious expectations for Battlefield 6, aiming for 100 million players, significantly exceeding the 30 million players achieved by the previously most successful entry, Battlefield 1. The company reportedly invested over $400 million in the game’s development.