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EA Sports planning new Texas studio

Leaked memo shows focus on recruitment and retention in wake of Madden losses

A leaked memo from EA Sports suggests the publisher is currently scouting for a new game development studio in Austin, Texas.

The internal company memo from COO Daryl Holt was obtained by IGN and appears primarily concerned with recruitment and retention of staff. The company has made no formal announcement.

"We have aggressive plans for expansion, and I will be visiting Austin, Texas, this week to assess potential space for a new EA Sports studio location. Our goal is to attract, hire and retain the industry's best talent," reads Holt's message.

He adds that EA Sports will continue to push in "innovative new directions" and with "connected, multi-platform development".

The latter is likely to be a reference to the company's plans for a persistent online profiles, as well as a tiered subscription service - details of which were also first obtained from a leaked memo.

Holt also refers to EA Sports having "cemented a new development structure" and touches upon the recent departure of a number of Madden NFL staff:

"With these departures comes a renewed focus on retention, but also a realisation that these departures create new opportunities for our people at all levels within the studio."

However, no hint is given as to what the focus of the new Texas studio may be. Currently the majority of EA Sports titles are developed by EA Canada, with EA Tiburon traditionally responsible for the Madden series and the more recent Tiger Woods PGA Tour titles.