Massive game publisher Electronic Arts has a reputation for snatching up talented development studios and then running them into the ground.
While some of EA’s big acquisitions remain successful today—like DICE and BioWare—the mega-publisher has also been responsible for the closures of a number of beloved game-makers. In the wake of today’s news that SimCity developer Maxis Emeryville is no more, let’s take a look at a newly-updated list of studios that EA has purchased only to shut down later.
Maxis (SimCity) – Purchased by EA in 1997; shut down in 2015. [Though EA says the “Maxis” brand will live on—and the studio currently behind The Sims continues to use the label—the Emeryville-based development house that served as the main descendant of what Will Wright created back in 1987 is officially no more.]
Mythic (Dark Age of Camelot) – Purchased by EA in 2006; shut down in 2014
Bullfrog (Syndicate, Dungeon Keeper) – Purchased by EA in 1995; shut down in 2001.
Origin (Ultima, Wing Commander) – Purchased by EA in 1992; shut down in 2004.
Westwood (Command & Conquer) – Purchased by EA in 1998; shut down in 2003.
DreamWorks Interactive/Danger Close/EA Los Angeles (Medal of Honor) – Purchased by EA in 2000; shut down in 2013.
Phenomic (SpellForce, BattleForge) – Purchased by EA in 2006; shut down in 2013.
Black Box Games (Need for Speed, Skate) – Purchased by EA in 2002; shut down in 2013.
Pandemic (The Saboteur) – Purchased by EA in 2008; shut down in 2009.
PlayFish (The Sims Social) – Purchased by EA in 2009; shut down in 2013.
NuFX (NBA Street) – Purchased by EA in 2004; shut down in 2007.
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