Topic: EA 0wNz All of DICE...And then CLOSES DICE Canada Completely!!

[MysterD]

UPDATE, Oct 6, 2006
-----------------------
EA takes it a step further, since they bought DICE....
EA closes DICE Canada.
Many of ex-DICE are being interviewed for jobs w/in EA themselves or to Digital Illusions of Sweden....

Link:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154232

DICE Canada is No More
Just days after parent company officially purchased by EA.
by Patrick Klepek, 10/05/2006
1 of 1 users recommend this story.
Though likely a process already underway before the announcement, it's incredibly coincidental that Digital Illusions CE (DICE) and Electronic Arts announced the completion of their financial partnership just days before shutting down their Canadian studio, as confirmed by GamesIndustry.biz.

DICE Canada was responsible for several of the company's high-profile releases, including Battlefield Vietnam and the trio of expansion packs -- Armored Fury, Euro Forces, Special Forces -- for the PC-based Battlefield 2. EA apparently decided it had too many Canadian studios, so the Ontario-based DICE Canada was chosen to make its exit.

EA didn't provide numbers, but said "many" were interviewing within and outside the company. "Many of the staff from that office are now being interviewed for positions at either EA Canada or elsewhere and the work that was being undertaken at Ontario will now be transferred to Stockholm, back to the Digital Illusions team in Sweden," said Tiffany Steckler, director of EA Corporate Communications in Europe, to the website.

Good luck to those affected.

OLD NEWS, Original Post -- Oct 2nd, 2006
--------------------------------------------
EA bought DICE completely:
http://bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=71493

EA & DICE Deal Complete [October 02, 2006, 10:45 am ET] - Viewing Comments
EA Acquires Digital Illusions (thanks Frans) announces that EA's acquisition of Swedish developer Digital Illusions is finally complete, following months of I dotting and t crossing (story). Word is that this end of the deal will involve approximately US$24 million:

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) today announced the acquisition of Digital Illusions CE (DICE), acclaimed development team and creators of the Battlefield game franchise. Located in Stockholm, Sweden, DICE becomes a fully integrated EA studio dedicated to growing the Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next generation consoles and other new platforms. The acquisition is effective immediately.

    "EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise," said Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studios. "The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."

    Patrick Soderlund, DICE CEO, said, "Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans. We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."

    Patrick Soderlund will become an EA Studio General Manager, maintaining responsibility for the DICE studio and taking on additional creative responsibilities. The DICE leadership team will continue in their roles in Stockholm.

    The acquisition was completed via a merger through which EA acquired the assets and liabilities of DICE. DICE shareholders, representing approximately 2.6 million shares, will receive SEK 67.50 per share in cash, to be paid out on October 16, 2006

[idolminds]

This really wont change much. They were "owned" by EA already as far as everyone was concerned.

I wonder what they will do with the BF series. We've had WW2, Vietnam, Modern Day, and now Future warfare....whats left? Cant really go much before WW2 because of the lack of vehicles.

[MysterD]

This really wont change much. They were "owned" by EA already as far as everyone was concerned.

I wonder what they will do with the BF series. We've had WW2, Vietnam, Modern Day, and now Future warfare....whats left? Cant really go much before WW2 because of the lack of vehicles.

Why not go back to the horse & buggie days?!?!?!?

[idolminds]

Battlefield: 1842

Cowboys vs indians.

[Pugnate]

Why not go back to the horse & buggie days?!?!?!?

haha horse and buggie.

[Xessive]

HAha they're going to push it so far into the future that everything is abstract It'll be Battlefield 32124, human's have evolved beyond they're physical form, and now they're just lingering energy signatures

[MysterD]

Battlefield: 1842

Cowboys vs indians.

Basically, this would be GUN Online then....?

[angrykeebler]

dont you guys remember my idea for Battlefield 1,000,000 B.C?

[Xessive]

Oh yeah! They'll have dinosaurs as vehicles and stuff

[MysterD]

Update at beginning of this thread....
Now, EA closes DICE Canada....

[Xessive]

I hope they close Blackbox (EA Vancouver) too! Those bastards ruined FIFA and have been pumping out retarded NFS games!