Confirmed: Electronic Arts closes Need for Speed studio

Rumors of Electronic Arts cutting the Need for Speed series is looking confirmed. A press release from the publisher officially announced that they will be closing the studio EA Black Box, home to the Need for Speed and Skate franchises.

Rumors of Electronic Arts cutting the Need for Speed series is looking confirmed.

A press release from the publisher officially announced that they will be closing the studio EA Black Box, home to the Need for Speed and Skate franchises.

Shutting down the studio is part of EA’s restructuring plan that hopes to save them US$ 120 million in annual costs. Part of the plan is to reduce their overall workforce by 10%, or 1,000 people.

The press release also stated that Black Box is only one of at least nine studios and publishing locations that will be either consolidated or shut down. This means we can expect a lot more of EA’s franchises to be in danger of being axed. I’m crossing my fingers that BioWare and Maxis won’t be affected.

Now this is not official confirmation that EA is abandoning the Need for Speed franchise, but it’s not looking good. Better to just look forward to Gran Turismo 5. We may not see it for a while, but at least we know it’s coming.

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