Marcus Lehto, who till not too long ago was the studio head of Ridgeline Video games engaged on a brand new single-player targeted entry within the Battlefield franchise, is not blissful about how EA handled his former studio.
Lehto, one of many co-creators of Halo, parted methods with Ridgeline and EA again in February simply days forward of mass layoffs on the writer. These layoffs noticed the studio he helped construct in 2022, Ridgeline Video games, shuttered. It’s estimated round 670 staff misplaced their jobs as a part of EA’s 5% workforce discount. Lots of the builders working at Ridgeline on a brand new Battlefield recreation have been let go, although some have been allowed to switch to a different Battlefield studio, Ripple Impact, based on IGN.
Not been saying a lot right here since I don’t have something optimistic to say about EA, my current departure, and the way so many, together with my crew, are struggling as a result of trade sweeping layoffs.
— Marcus Lehto 🇺🇦 (@game_fabricator) March 15, 2024
The previous Ridgeline studio head has largely been quiet following his departure again in February, and said he could be stepping away from recreation improvement to see “what, if something” he needs to do subsequent and that he was “gut-punched” by EA shedding his former crew. Lehto, nevertheless, not too long ago broke his silence within the wake of EA’s layoffs in a submit on X.
“Not been saying a lot right here since I haven’t got something optimistic to say about EA, my current departure, and the way so many, together with my crew, are struggling as a result of trade sweeping layoffs,” Lehto stated.
Lehto beforehand stated he left EA and Ridgeline “of his personal accord,” calling it “a really robust determination” to make. He has not since elaborated on the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Particulars on Ridgeline’s narrative-driven Battlefield recreation have been few, nevertheless it was a part of a wider effort at EA to create what it referred to as “a related Battlefield universe,” one that may take gamers “on unbelievable adventures which might be solely potential within the Battlefield universe.” Final 12 months, it was introduced the Sweden-based DICE, who has historically been the principle developer behind the franchise, would help Ridgeline as a co-developer on its single-player Battlefield entry.
“Our imaginative and prescient coupled with [DICE’s] expertise with the franchise goes to see us construct a single-player marketing campaign that can interact gamers in new methods whereas additionally remaining true to the basic components of what makes Battlefield actually distinctive!” Lehto stated on the time.
Regardless of a rocky launch and blended evaluations, EA has continued to assist Battlefield 2042, which is able to quickly obtain its seventh multiplayer season. The following multiplayer Battlefield recreation, developed by Ripple Impact, will reportedly characteristic a free-to-play battle royale and is slated for a 2025 launch. In the meantime, trade layoffs are leaving each builders and followers asking “How did we get right here?” and questioning what comes subsequent.