What Studios Did EA Ruin?
EA has acquired and shut down several game development studios over the years, including Phenomic Game Development, Mythic Entertainment, Bullfrog Productions, DreamWorks Interactive, Pandemic Studios, BioWare Montreal, and Maxis, with the primary reason being the acquisition of intellectual property (IP) assets rather than the studios’ talent. The company’s aggressive business strategy has led to the demise of these studios, resulting in the loss of jobs and the decline of beloved game franchises.
Introduction to EA’s Studio Acquisitions
EA’s history of acquiring and shutting down studios is a long and complex one, with the company’s focus on IP assets often leading to the demise of talented development teams. In this article, we will explore the studios that EA has ruined, as well as provide answers to frequently asked questions about the company’s business practices and the impact on the gaming industry.
The List of Ruined Studios
The list of studios ruined by EA includes:
- Phenomic Game Development
- Mythic Entertainment
- Bullfrog Productions
- DreamWorks Interactive
- Pandemic Studios
- BioWare Montreal
- Maxis
The Reasons Behind EA’s Studio Acquisitions
EA’s primary reason for acquiring studios is to gain control of intellectual property (IP) assets, which can be highly valuable in the gaming industry. However, this approach has led to the demise of talented development teams and the decline of beloved game franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What franchises has EA ruined?
EA has ruined several franchises, including Dungeon Keeper, Ultima, Wing Commander, Need for Speed, Syndicate, The Simpsons, Road Rash, and Skate.
Q2: What game studios did EA shut down?
EA has shut down several game studios, including DICE Canada, Origin Systems, EA Chicago (NuFX), and Pandemic Studios.
Q3: Why was EA considered the worst company?
EA was considered the worst company due to its aggressive business strategy, which prioritized IP assets over talent and game quality.
Q4: What is the controversy with EA Studios?
EA has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny over its use of loot boxes in games such as FIFA and Star Wars Battlefront II.
Q5: How many companies did EA ruin?
EA has shut down 14 studios overall, with not all of them being acquired externally.
Q6: Why did EA lose the Star Wars license?
EA lost the Star Wars license due to quantity, with the company only publishing four core Star Wars titles since 2013.
Q7: What is EA hated for?
EA is hated for developing games that lack innovation and prioritizing yearly updates over game quality.
Q8: Who is suing EA?
The Brandr Group is suing EA over group licensing deals for 54 D-I schools and their athletes involved in the EA Sports college football game.
Q9: Why does EA close so many studios?
EA closes studios when the value of the intellectual property begins to decline, and the company no longer sees a financial benefit in keeping the studio open.
Q10: Did EA shut down Ghost?
Yes, EA shut down Ghost Games, the studio that developed the last four Need for Speed titles.
Q11: Is EA losing Star Wars?
EA has lost its exclusive rights to create Star Wars games, but the company will continue to work on Star Wars games under a new agreement.
Q12: What games did EA actually make?
EA has developed several beloved game franchises, including EA SPORTS FIFA, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Madden NFL, Need for Speed, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies.
Q13: Who owns the most of EA?
The largest shareholders of EA include BlackRock Inc., Public Investment Fund, Vanguard Group Inc, and State Street Corp.
Q14: What is the most profitable EA franchise?
The most profitable EA franchise is FIFA, with global revenue of $1.08 billion in 2020.
Q15: Why was EA sued?
EA was sued by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon over the use of his likeness in an EA Sports title without acquiring his permission.