Confirmed: EA closes Black Box

Development team and associated franchises will move to a nearby EA studio location.

EA has today announced further details on a restructuring plan which will include consolidating facilities and reducing the work force. The restructuring is expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately $120 million.

The plan is intended to reduce EA's worldwide work force by approximately 10 per cent or 1,000 people. This reduction will be completed in the majority by March 31, 2009.

EA has also announced that the restructuring calls for consolidation or closure of at least nine studio and publishing locations. Among these will be the Black Box facility in Vancouver. The Black Box development teams and associated game franchise will move to the nearby EA studio location in Burnaby.

Black Box has been responsible for many hit titles including those in the Need for Speed and Skate franchises.

EA also noted that it is implementing a plan to narrow its production portfolio on hit games with higher margin opportunities, but remains committed to taking creative risks, investing in new games, leading the industry in the growing mobile and online businesses and delivering high quality games to consumers.