What just happened? Electronic Arts has announced a major restructuring that will see EA Games' studios split into two organizations: EA Entertainment and EA Sports. The company, which announced layoffs earlier this year, has also changed its executive team and hired a new Chief Financial Officer.
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson announced the shake-up, which will see the two newly created organizations report directly to him. He said the realignment of studios and leadership structure is an effort to "empower our creative teams."
EA Games has now undergone a name change to EA Entertainment, indicating a broadening of its scope beyond merely video games. This newly named entity will encompass EA's own intellectual properties and licensed titles. Laura Miele will serve as the president of EA Entertainment, Technology & Central Development and work closely with Respawn co-founder Vince Zampella.
EA Entertainment will oversee games from studios such as Respawn, DICE, Ripple Effect, Ridgeline Games, BioWare, and EA Originals, which includes Apex Legends and the Star Wars and Battlefield games. Jeff Karp will continue to lead the mobile games division, and Samantha Ryan will oversee the lifestyle franchises and major single-player games.
"We're building the future of interactive entertainment on a foundation of legendary franchises and innovative new experiences, which represents massive opportunities for growth," Wilson said.
As the name suggests, EA Sports will be home to the company's large number of sports games - Madden, PGA Tour, NHL, and EA Sports FC. It we will continue to be led by Cam Weber.
"This evolution of our company continues to empower our studio leaders with more creative ownership and financial accountability to make faster and more insightful decisions around development and go to market strategies," Wilson added.
"These steps will accelerate our business, drive growth, and deliver long-term value for our people, our players and our communities."
Elsewhere at the executive level, chief experience officer Chris Bruzzo will retire as of June 30 after nine years at the company, replaced by David Tinson. Chief Finance Officer Chris Suh has left for Visa, replaced by Stuart Canfield.
Wilson announced in late March that Electronic Arts would be laying off around 6% of its workforce and restructuring the company. The plans, which also include reducing its office space, will result in EA incurring up to $200 million in charges
EA canceled Apex Legends Mobile and Battlefield Mobile at the end of January after failing to meet expectations due to a competitive mobile market, and the company recently delayed Immortals of Aveum to August 22.
