EA proposes shuttering of Bright Light Guildford

Fri 14 Oct 2011 12:42pm GMT / 8:42am EDT / 5:42am PDT
PublishingDevelopment

Formal consultation process begun as some staff offered positions elsewhere in EA

EA has proposed the closure of Guildford studio Bright Light, makers of the recent Harry Potter games, telling GamesIndustry.biz that staff have entered a "formal consultation process".

The studio had worked most recently on the Harry Potter movie tie-ins, but a number of other games are believed to have been underway at the outfit.

"After a review of all current and future projects, Electronic Arts has started a formal consultation process with its Bright Light employees over the proposed closure of the studio," said EA's Tiffany Steckler.

"The proposed changes will help centralize development on future projects, reduce development costs and will allow for better knowledge and talent sharing within the organization."

Steckler also told GamesIndustry.biz that attempts would be made to relocate staff and that EA retained a strong interest in its UK business.

"Employees that are impacted will be considered for positions at other EA Studios including those in the UK," the statement continued.

"The UK is a vital centre of game development for EA and we intend to maintain a strong presence here."

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Dan Pearson
Dan Pearson joined Eurogamer in 2006 before moving over to GamesIndustry in 2010. He covers all areas of the business and spends much of the rest of his time shouting at his cat and killing dwarves in poorly constructed fortresses.

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