EA closes only development studio in Japan

The only Electronic Arts dev studio in Japan now switches off the lights for one last time, as EA ties up loose ends for the studio’s less than mediocre track record.

The studio can be remembered for their port of Theme Park to the DS, not surprisingly called Theme Park DS. The problem was, that’s the only title they can be remembered for. After a full three year operation, the studio took only half a year to develop a single title.

EA still plans to publish games locally in Japan, but development will be delegated to their more mainstream studios.

This does not mean that the DS gamers can no longer expect any more DS games to come from EA. In fact, they’re already at work with Sim City DS, which is being developed by EA Redwood Shores outsourcing talent and services from an external Japanese studio.

Through the years of the EA Japan studio, it has experienced continuous dwindling employee numbers. At the time of the closure, about 20 employees were let go from the dev studio, although EA is looking into ways they can be reintegrated into the EA family.

Despite the development halt in Japan, EA has been making up by focusing on other Asian parts, like China and Singapore. It’s a shame, though, as the studio was also expected to develop PC and next-generation console games.

Via 1UP

The only Electronic Arts dev studio in Japan now switches off the lights for one last time, as EA ties up loose ends for the studio’s less than mediocre track record.

The studio can be remembered for their port of Theme Park to the DS, not surprisingly called Theme Park DS. The problem was, that’s the only title they can be remembered for. After a full three year operation, the studio took only half a year to develop a single title.

EA still plans to publish games locally in Japan, but development will be delegated to their more mainstream studios.

This does not mean that the DS gamers can no longer expect any more DS games to come from EA. In fact, they’re already at work with Sim City DS, which is being developed by EA Redwood Shores outsourcing talent and services from an external Japanese studio.

Through the years of the EA Japan studio, it has experienced continuous dwindling employee numbers. At the time of the closure, about 20 employees were let go from the dev studio, although EA is looking into ways they can be reintegrated into the EA family.

Despite the development halt in Japan, EA has been making up by focusing on other Asian parts, like China and Singapore. It’s a shame, though, as the studio was also expected to develop PC and next-generation console games.

Via 1UP