EA closes SimCity maker Maxis Emeryville

First SimCity (2013), now this

Another studio with a storied legacy has fallen under Electronic Arts. The Emeryville offices of Maxis, the force behind simulation games like The Sims, SimCity, and Spore, shut down today.

EA says it’s “consolidating Maxis IP development to our studios in Redwood Shores, Salt Lake City, Helsinki, and Melbourne,” and added that “These changes do not impact our plans for The Sims.”

According to the company’s statement to Kotaku, “All employees impacted by the changes today will be given opportunities to explore other positions within the Maxis studios and throughout EA. For those that are leaving the company, we are working to ensure the best possible transition with separation packages and career assistance.”

Closing a game 🌠studio in the midst of the Game Developers Conference? Not exactly subtle.

[Kotaku]