While the videogame industry was initially deemed "recession proof," the reality appears to be quite the opposite. In an ongoing pattern of cutbacks across the industry, Electronic Arts has laid off as many as 150 to 200 people at its Black Box studio, according to Kotaku‘s sources.
While this news is hot of the heels of cuts at EA’s Mythic and Tiburon studios, other companies are struggling as well. Sega of America recently fired a few dozen employees, and Microsoft just announced 5,000 job cuts, 1,400 today with 3,600 to follow over the next year and a half. Even Sony is planning a dismal-sounding "headcount reduction" as part of a cost reduction initiative.
We wish those who lost their jobs today the best of luck finding new work.