LogInThe studio, previously responsible for live service support for three titles, is now undergoing a transition to becoming a "monotitle" studio with a sole focus on The Sims FreePlay.
According to a recent report by Kotaku Australia, Firemonkeys Studio, a Melbourne-based studio owned by EA, is facing significant layoffs that are expected to affect approximately two-thirds of its workforce.
As reported by the outlet, the layoffs at Firemonkeys Studio are attributed to Electronic Arts' decision to make a shift in the studio's focus.
Firemonkeys was previously responsible for managing live service operations for mobile games such as Real Racing 3, Need for Speed: No Limits, and The Sims FreePlay. However, the studio will now focus exclusively on The Sims FreePlay. It is anticipated that the operations for Real Racing and Need for Speed will be transferred to EA's studio in India, called Slingshot.
Certain staff members at Firemonkeys may allegedly be transferred to different projects within the studio, while others are expected to face layoffs. It has been also reported that Joe Donoghue, the general manager of the studio, was already terminated on April 28.
The job cuts at the mobile developer are said to be a part of a company-wide restructuring plan that EA announced in March, which, among other things, includes a global workforce reduction of 6%.
Firemonkeys management reportedly informed its team about these changes during a studio update on April 26. Additionally, in-person meetings are said to have been held last week to communicate which employees would retain their positions.
Following the news about layoffs at Firemonkeys, EA provided a comment to various outlets saying that it is "constantly transforming to deliver games and services that keep our players engaged, connected, and inspired" and that "it’s with this focus" it will be restructuring Firemonkeys, "allowing teams there to focus on supporting live services for The Sims FreePlay."
"Robust support for Real Racing 3 and Need for Speed: No Limits will transition to existing teams at EA. We will continue to work closely with all relevant teams as we undergo this transition," the statement continues.
As highlighted by Kotaku Australia, this isn’t the first instance of job cuts at Firemonkeys. In 2019, a significant round of layoffs resulted in a reduction of approximately 40-50 staff members, leading to concerns about the studio's potential closure. However, a dedicated team continued to develop the studio's major franchises.
The recent layoffs at Firemonkeys Studio add to a series of job cuts happening across various studios globally. This trend has affected teams at Deviation Games, Relic Entertainment, Firaxis, and CD Projekt Red.
You can find Kotaku Australia's report here. Also, don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.