The month of November is not a good time for the folks over at Electronic Arts, as the publisher confirmed to PlanetXbox360.com that the closure of Pandemic Studios happens today, after acquiring the developer with BioWare in late 2007. This morning a PR representative from EA corporate responded to our official request for comment:
"The Pandemic properties will continue to live on at Playa Vista. Though the Westwood facility will be closed, a core IP team of Pandemic developers will work on Pandemic titles from the EALA campus in Playa Vista, with a focus on quality, cost management and schedule integrity."
While news of more layoffs or an official closing at any developer is always disappointing, Pandemic is not new to the rumor of getting the axe. It's biggest recent release, Mercenaries 2, received a generally positive critical reception but didn't do so well in sales numbers, and the cancellation of its never-had-a-chance "Dark Knight" title last year prompted the closure of its Australian offices. Thankfully EA will still release The Saboteur, as that game is coming along nicely and looking fantastic; good luck to all the Pandemic employees that lost their jobs this week. Please contact us if you would like to add to this story.
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