Black Box sheds 200 staff

The unfortunate job-cutting spree in the games industry seems to be continuing today with news that EA studio Black Box has, after weeks of speculation, lost 200 members of its staff.

Gamasutra reports that 200 of the 350 members of the studio have today departed – just as its latest title, Skate 2, hits UK retail. The remaining members of the team are said to have been offered the chance to relocate to other sections of EA.

The moves come as part of EA’s wider restructuring measures aimed at cutting costs for the year ahead, and are thought have been partially as a result of lower than expected sales and reviews for the developer’s recent title, Need for Speed: Undercover.

Rumours also abound of further EA job losses. Develop has contacted EA for confirmation.