Rumor: EA Closes PopCap Vancouver, EA Partners – UPDATED

The word on the street is that the plug is being pulled on Electronic Arts’ publishing service for independent developers, while Quicklime Games and PopCap’s Vancouver studio are no more.

The EA Partners program is a publishing and distribution channel for third-party developers and over the years it’s led to deals with studios including Crytek, Epic Games, Double Fine, Valve, Grasshopper Manufacture and more. But according to “multiple anonymous sources close to the matter,” it will soon be shut down, presumably as a result of the deep cuts that have swept across EA since the resignation of former CEO John Riccitiello.

Meanwhile, based on a tweet from Vancouver-based game designer and producer Palle Hoffstein, EA has also shutdown PopCap Vancouver and Quicklime Games, the co-developer of Need for Speed: World.

EA hasn’t yet confirmed the closures but posted an “organizational update” message on its blog today acknowledging the “hard but essential changes” that have taken place. “In recent weeks, EA has aligned all elements of its organizational structure behind priorities in new technologies and mobile. This has led to some difficult decisions to reduce the workforce in some locations,” it says. “We are extremely grateful for the contributions made by each of our employees – those that are leaving EA will be missed by their colleagues and friends.”

The drastic cuts that have fallen upon the company in recent weeks may well be necessary, but they’re still unfortunate for those affected. We’ve contacted EA for further information and will update as it comes available.

Source: Game Informer

UPDATE: EA has declined to disclose numbers or which teams have been impacted by the cuts, saying only that today’s statement “addresses cumulative changes made through today.”