Layoffs in Skate development team

Electronic Arts has announced additional layoffs within its Skate development team as part of a broader restructuring plan that includes 400 job cuts across the company. The Full Circle studio, which is responsible for the Skate reboot, has already experienced layoffs in February 2026.

Challenges with Skate reboot

The Skate reboot initially attracted 15 million players but faced criticism for its entirely online model, which made it difficult for players with offline preferences or poor internet connections. The game also drew backlash for its cosmetic items, which were priced at 39.99 euros each.

Negative feedback affects player retention

The issues with the Skate reboot generated negative feedback, which affected player retention for a free-to-play service. This has been described as "almost a death sentence" for such games, highlighting the challenges of maintaining engagement in this format.

Financial pressures at Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts is under financial pressure, with a debt of 20 billion dollars following its acquisition by a Saudi investment fund. The company is seeking cost reductions across all departments, leading to layoffs that include several key figures from Full Circle.

Key personnel affected by layoffs

Among those affected are John Epler, a creative director with nearly 20 years at Electronic Arts, Adam Martinazzi, a senior game designer, and David Milne, also a senior designer. The impact of these layoffs is unclear, particularly regarding how many original members from the Black Box studio remain with the team.