EA Preparing To Shut Down Its Partners Program

According to the latest reports Electronic Arts, EA, is reportedly planning to shut down its partners program. Unlike a lot of publishers EA offered support and aid to independent developers to help them develop and distribute their games without having to sign their franchises over to EA.

You might say the program was highly successful as it helped support some major titles including Crysis, Bulletstorm and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Before the program ends another two impressive titles look set to be release through it which are Fuse from Insomniac Games and the new project from Respawn Entertainment.

Several industry sources suggest that this shut down will be occurring soon. No specific reason was given for the shut down of the Partners Program but clearly it has something do with profitability. John Riccitiello’s recent departure from the position as CEO of EA probably has something to do with this as EA’s new management wants to assure investors of stability and a return to big profit by cutting costs.

EA is expected to hold a financial earnings call on the 7th of May and it is at this event that EA is expected to announce the closure of its Partner Programs to investors in the company.

What are your thoughts on EA shutting its Partners Program? Efficient business? Damaging to the industry? A bit of both?

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