EA Japan President Calls Out Microsoft for Chasing Short-Term Results Amid Mass Layoffs

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In a lengthy post on X (machine translated) Sean Noguchi, the President of EA Japan, shared his thoughts on the situation.

"In recent years, foreign-affiliated companies have become more inclined to seek short-term results from large-scale investments, and there are many cases where they change direction to meet shareholders' expectations before enough time has passed. We believe this incident is a result of such a structure."



The word "restructure" often carries positive connotations such as rebuilding or improving efficiency and tends to be used somewhat vaguely overseas. However, in Japan, "restructure" is very directly perceived as "layoff," and its significant impact is more strongly felt.

Particularly in recent years, foreign companies have increasingly demanded short-term results for large-scale investments, and there are not infrequent cases where a change in direction is made to meet shareholder expectations before sufficient time has been invested. I view this reported incident as something that occurred within such a structure.

The gaming industry is supported by each and every creator and staff member who has diligently worked on development at the forefront. As someone in the same industry, I feel deep pain regarding this decision.

The frustration of something built over a long time not seeing the light of day, and the reality that gamers who were looking forward to it cannot even experience it—both are truly regrettable.

I sincerely hope that everyone affected will be able to shine again in their next field.


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I liken it to sports and General Managers. They make moves to ensure their tenure is a success at the cost of the future or making it more difficult for the next guy. Trade all your first round picks away, sign large contracts. etc.

Just wait until all these poor leaders get their bonuses and raises.
 
We really do live in the age where bad people feel comfortable jumping in to virtue signal off the back of other people because they'll get seal-claps for saying the obvious shit in a flowery way.

EA literally has done the same bullshit for far longer, and has a graveyard full of IP I god damn love in their backyard.
 
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Have never heard of an EA president in Japan lol. But at the same time, why is EA even talking? They haven't released a single good game in how many years now? I guess the remake of dead space was good, but even then, they were dumb enough to cancel DS2 remake because DS1R didn't make em 10000M.
 
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It's only a matter of time until Phil is gone.

I really feel that this round of layoffs has shown enough is enough

MS will need a fall guy just like Jim Ryan was for PS

Phil "retirement" soon

Just 6 years too late
 
This is much easier to say for Japanese CEOs whose employees cost 1/3 of a comparable American programmer on the west coast.

This begs the question, "Why does every developer need to make $150k and live in California?", which I think is a very good question that will start to be shaken up in an effort to drive costs down.
 
It's only a matter of time until Phil is gone.

I really feel that this round of layoffs has shown enough is enough

MS will need a fall guy just like Jim Ryan was for PS

Phil "retirement" soon

Just 6 years too late
Nah, MS arent going to get rid of the guy who can broker a $70 billion deal and mercilessly cut 1000's of workers.
 
Nah, MS arent going to get rid of the guy who can broker a $70 billion deal and mercilessly cut 1000's of workers.
They'll just replace him with Sarah Bond. She'll get leniency from the media (being a black woman and all. It's just the truth)

But they'll keep slicing and dicing since it's Nutella who's actually pulling the strings
 
They'll just replace him with Sarah Bond. She'll get leniency from the media (being a black woman and all. It's just the truth)

But they'll keep slicing and dicing since it's Nutella who's actually pulling the strings
I dont think it is as easy as people think to go to a studio head and tell them that they have to cut 50% of their team and the remaining people will be doing grunt work.
 
This is much easier to say for Japanese CEOs whose employees cost 1/3 of a comparable American programmer on the west coast.

This begs the question, "Why does every developer need to make $150k and live in California?", which I think is a very good question that will start to be shaken up in an effort to drive costs down.
I said the same thing in another thread recently, where I saw the Initiative was started near LA of all places. How stupid to start a studio in such an expensive part of the country. I said something along the lines why not start a new studio and say "must be willing to move to arkansas" or some other low cost of living states. A couple people replied saying that's where the talent is, but come on...it's 2025. Game development can be done anywhere. I don't know, just seems to me this idea of talent needing to be in a certain part of the country is very outdated.
 
I dont think it is as easy as people think to go to a studio head and tell them that they have to cut 50% of their team and the remaining people will be doing grunt work.
I think the decisions are easy as most higher management/execs are heartless fucks

But I understand that the logistics are more difficult.

That's why they change the messenger and depending on who the messenger is, it affects how the message comes across
 
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