EA lays off Montreal, Los Angeles employees

Publisher does not address rumors of closing Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel studio

Words: Connor Sheridan on February 21, 2013

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Electronic Arts announced multiple layoffs today, and did not comment on rumors that Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel developer Visceral Games Montreal was shut down.

The publisher released a statement to Kotaku confirming reports of layoffs across its studios in Los Angeles and Montreal. It said the layoffs are part of adjustments to "align staff and skills against priority growth areas."

"Many employees are being retrained for new positions; however a small number will be released," EA's statement said. "These are great, talented people and we wish them well. EA is growing globally, and we expect our headcount to increase this year."

EA Labels president Frank Gibeau elaborated on the layoffs in an EA news post (seriously) titled "Transition Is Our Friend."

"[W]hen it is not possible to redeploy a team, we soften the tough decisions with assistance. This week we let some people go in Los Angeles, Montreal as well as in some smaller locations. These are good people and we have offered outplacement services and severance packages to ease their transition to a new job."

EA maintains at least three studios in Montreal, according to its employment information page:, Visceral Games Montreal, new Mass Effect series-lead BioWare Montreal, and mobile/social-focused EA All Play. Army of Two: Devil's Cartel is scheduled to release on March 26.