EA lays off staff across Battlefield studios despite record-breaking launch of Battlefield 6

EA has laid off an unspecified number of staff across its Battlefield studios, despite a record-breaking launch for Battlefield 6 late last year that saw it top Steam charts and sell 7 million copies in just three days.

According to IGN, the cuts affect workers at Criterion, DICE, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studios. Teams were told the layoffs stem from a "realignment" within the company.

After a strong debut in October – concurrent players on Steam peaked at 747,440 – Battlefield 6 has struggled to hold that momentum, with daily player counts dropping more than EA likely expected.

Community criticism has also piled up. In February, several skins were redesigned to look more realistic after players pushed back against their original, edgier aesthetic.

Last month, players ran into issues equipping gas masks introduced in season two. The game's battle royale mode, RedSec, also got off to a rocky start, drawing a mixed reception from both players and critics.

The franchise has also been dealing with a deeply personal loss – Battlefield franchise head Vince Zampella passed away in December following a car accident. EA described his death as "an unimaginable loss".