Oh Noes: Electronic Arts Closing Pandemic

It’s not only official, but the first official closure of a development studio following Electronic Arts’ stunning quarterly report announcement.  Some 200 of the promised 1,500 layoffs will be hitting Pandemic, creator of Full Spectrum Warrior, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (360/PS3) and others, causing the California developer to be the first casualty of the cutbacks.

An internal memo confirming the closure stated that the company will not die.  “I want to make it clear that the Pandemic brand and franchises will live on,” Nick Earl, EA Games Label Senior Vice President, wrote in the memo. “In the months ahead, we will announce plans for new games based on Pandemic franchises.

There’s been no confirmation as to what will happen to the company’s current projects, The Saboteur (360/PC/PS3) and two unannounced games, but previous reports stated that EA Montreal would pick up where Pandemic left off on The Saboteur.  The memo did state that the “core IP team” – whatever that means – would move to EA LA.

Mythic and EA LA had it easy in comparison.  To be brutally honest, Pandemic Studios has developed a string of lackluster titles since it broke onto the scene with original games such as Full Spectrum Warrior, Star Wars: Battlefront and Destroy All Humans!.  That was five years ago.  Still, it is sad to see talent get scattered.