Over on Destructoid, they have news from unnamed sources that Electronic Arts has plans for restructuring and laying off employees. The first studios that’ll see some cuts will be EA’s Mythic and Redwood Shores studios. According to the source, layoffs have already started earlier today.
An email from Mythic VP Rob Denton, to all of its employees detailed reorganization plans for the studio through "attrition, performance management, stricter hiring guidelines and layoffs".
This includes moving the Ultima Online team from EA Redwood Shores studio to Mythic’s studio in Fairfax, VA, in order to streamline operations. In fact, a few team members from Ultima Online have already been laid off earlier today.
I have a sneaking suspicion that EA will continue with its layoffs across most of its owned studios. Mythic was acquired by EA back in June 2006 and already has seen layoffs. I’m sure the $775 million needed to acquire Bioware and Pandemic may have something to do with EA’s actions too.