Layoffs Hit Popcap Games [Up: No Layoffs at Garden Warfare/Peggle 2 studio]

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Popcap, the EA-owned game studio behind Plants vs. Zombies, has just laid off a number of employees, Kotaku has learned.P

EA won't confirm the number, but they did send over a statement:

The changes we made today at PopCap were painful and we're sorry to lose some of our friends and colleagues. But it was also necessary in order to stay on course with our future plans for mobile games, live services, and new IP. PopCap is a studio that made its name building great games that the world can fall in love with, and that's what we'll continue to do.
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http://kotaku.com/layoffs-hit-popcap-1543239654

Edit:
Following the news of PopCap layoffs, we further inquired into the details surrounding the cuts. EA has decided not to share the number of employees affected, but has confirmed to Game Informer that the PopCap HD studio is not affected.
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http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
"Alright guys. You made a great product. We just had a successful launch. To celebrate you all get permanent unpaid vacations! Feel free to reapply in the future to make the lowest possible pay."
 
shwimpy said:
Maybe if they made their games multiplatform, people would buy them... just sayin'.
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That and make them not pay to win mobile games (looking at PvZ2). All of my friends who once loved the original PvZ have no interest in the second one due to the f2p bullshit and some can't play it due to being on Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10.
 
Same shit, different day.

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I wonder if this will affect Garden Warfare DLC plans. I love that game but it could definitely use some new maps and modes.
 
Why any company would let themselves be scooped up by EA is beyond me. Unless of course you're just looking for a massive payday and and are completely ok with letting everything that the company used to be subsequently dismantled in short order.

EA's track record here is completely abysmal.
 
If they had launched PvZ2 as a full priced game, I would have gladly plopped down my money. What a misfire. Mobile market be poppin'. First disney interactive, now this..
 
iMax said:
Same shit, different day.
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Came looking for this, didn't leave disappointed. It doesn't look like they're closing up on Popcap, but still, sad day.

I mean honestly, what's left for EA? Bioware, Mythic, Respawn...is that it? EA's mass grave just keeps getting bigger.
 
maybe release your games on all platforms instead of on "One" platform at launch.

Still waiting to throw my money at Peggle 2 for PC or iOS and Plants VS Zombies 2 for PC
 
Chobel said:
What does "live services" mean?
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Constantly updated games that (judging by exclusion) don't fit in the mobile category, a la Garden Warfare.

For a more tangible example of this, things like LoL and Dota 2 are live services.

SolsticeZero said:
Somehow I'm betting it's a bizarre translation for F2P
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Yes, though it can also apply to games where you pay up front and then it's continually updated from there like Guild Wars 2 is or Team Fortress 2 original was.
 
FrontalMonk said:
Came looking for this, didn't leave disappointed. It doesn't look like they're closing up on Popcap, but still, sad day.

I mean honestly, what's left for EA? Bioware, Mythic, Respawn...is that it? EA's mass grave just keeps getting bigger.
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Luckily Respawn is not part of EA.
 
FrontalMonk said:
Came looking for this, didn't leave disappointed. It doesn't look like they're closing up on Popcap, but still, sad day.

I mean honestly, what's left for EA? Bioware, Mythic, Respawn...is that it? EA's mass grave just keeps getting bigger.
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Don't they own DICE, also? So Battlefield. Not to mention their monopoly on NFL games.
 
This makes me legit sad. They are such a good company, just they are owned by a publisher that has made bad decisions.

Peggle(s) are amazing. PvZ was amazing. PvZ2 was a disaster assumingly due to someone forcing them to have microtransactions.

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare is my favorite game in years. I'll be extremely upset if this affects the life of that game, especially with all the coming DLC supposedly being free.

Hang in there PopCap. Thanks for everything.
 
Ever since the EA acquisition I haven't liked anything Popcap has put out. This isn't surprising as Peggle 2, Garden Warfare and PvZ2 didn't exactly burn up the charts.
 
Nirolak said:
Constantly updated games that (judging by exclusion) don't fit in the mobile category, a la Garden Warfare.

For a more tangible example of this, things like LoL and Dota 2 are live services.



Yes, though it can also apply to games where you pay up front and then it's continually updated from there like Guild Wars 2 is or Team Fortress 2 original was.
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Specifically, it's the attempt to transfer the idea of SaaS "Software as a Service" over to the gaming space, the brilliant idea that hey, why can't they just pay us continually, forever!
 
TheFLYINGManga_Ka said:
Popcap was making amazing games, successful, with no layoffs for a long time...

... until now as part of EA.

Coincidence?
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Nope.

They just made Peggle 2 and PvZ Garden Warfare for 360/XBO too which are very good games, GW has surprised me a lot, its a shame the EA curse is upon them.

The next developer that EA tries to buy should definitely take a step back and consider what they're doing before they sell. Im sure the amount EA overpays is worth it though
 
I still can't believe you can't play Peggle 2 on a PC or an iOS device. I mean, what the fuck they were thinking?
 
Popcap never made an overblown 3D action game for a next gen console either... it was a big project for them. And if they don't see that as part of their future then probably a bunch of 3D artists got laid off.
 
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