EA refuses to rule out Asian lay-offs

EA said roughly 600 positions across all locations will be cut, following the release of disappointing second-quarter results.

According to an EA spokeswoman, it is too soon to know how the “tough, but necessary, cost reduction action” will affect operations in Asia-Pacific.

“We are unable to disclose region- or country-specific numbers at this point,” she said. “All parts of EA have reviewed their team sizes to adjust employee numbers. The goal is to ensure we’re resourced in a way that allows us to continue to grow our revenues while at the same time keeping our costs under control and improving profitability.”

EA, which is the world’s second-largest video-gaming company, announced a net loss of US$310 million in its second quarter, up from a US$195 million loss a year earlier.

EA’s revenue rose 40 per cent to US$894 million in the quarter, an increase from US$640 million a year earlier.

The spokeswoman added that the company is optimistic it will see boosted earnings in the next quarter as the holiday shopping season nears.