EA shuts down The Sims & SimCity developer Maxis

EA has shut down Maxis Emeryville, the main studio behind classic franchises The Sims and SimCity.

The Maxis brand will continue to live on, however, with the publisher “consolidating” development of the studio’s IP to other EA studios, where it will continue to develop “new cross-platform IP” and bring the developer’s franchises to new platforms.

The studio’s closure will not affect the future of The Sims or EA’s plans to roll out expansion packs for The Sims 4.

“Today we are consolidating Maxis IP development to our studios in Redwood Shores, Salt Lake City, Helsinki and Melbourne locations as we close our Emeryville location,” EA said in a statement provided to Kotaku.

“Maxis continues to support and develop new experiences for current Sims and SimCity players, while expanding our franchises to new platforms and developing new cross-platform IP.

“These changes do not impact our plans for The Sims. Players will continue to see rich new experiences in The Sims 4, with our first expansion pack coming soon along with a full slate of additional updates and content in the pipeline.”

“All employees impacted by the changes today will be given opportunities to explore other positions within the Maxis studios and throughout EA. For those that are leaving the company, we are working to ensure the best possible transition with separation packages and career assistance.”

Maxis was founded in 1987 by SimCity creator Will Wright, who went on to develop multiple other simulation titles including SimAnt, SimEarth and Spore. The studio’s most notable release was The Sims, the popular people simulator that first launched on PC in 2000.

Wright left the company in 2009 shortly after the release of Spore, going on to found creative strategy group Stupid Fun Club.

Maxis’ latest game The Sims 4 launched in September 2014.

Source: kotaku.com