Skate Developer Full Circle Implements Layoffs Shortly After Skate’s Early Access Launch

Layoffs Hit EA’s Full Circle Amid Skate’s Early Success

In a surprising turn of events, Electronic Arts (EA) recently experienced a wave of layoffs at Full Circle, the studio behind the much-anticipated revival of the Skate franchise. While fans were eager for news of Skate 4, the latest installment offered was instead a live service model that aimed to generate ongoing revenue. Despite its success as the most downloaded free-to-play game on both PC and consoles in 2025, recent reports reveal changes at Full Circle just months after the game’s launch.

Official Statement on Team Restructuring

In an announcement posted on their official website, Full Circle confirmed the layoffs but provided limited details regarding the number of affected employees or the rationale behind the decision.

The statement expressed gratitude for the community’s engagement, stating: “Since launching Early Access in September, tens of millions of you have stepped into San Vansterdam. Your passion and creativity have reinforced our belief in what skate.can become.” It noted that the studio is restructuring to better align with the long-term vision for the game while prioritizing elements that resonate with players.

Impact of Layoffs on Development

“These shifts mean making changes to our team structure, and some roles will be impacted. The impacted teammates are talented individuals who contributed significantly to the game’s development, ” the studio wrote. This decision, they assured, does not diminish the contributions of those affected, and Full Circle committed to providing support during this transition.

An important update from Full Circle: https://t.co/BO7FfXGvF2 pic.twitter.com/sqzMvQ5ljT

— skate.(@skate) February 25, 2026

EA’s Commercial Performance and Future Outlook

Despite the significant layoffs, EA reported strong commercial success in the previous year, finishing as the leading publisher in terms of downloads on both PC and console. Notably, the company had all three of the top-selling AAA titles in its lineup, driven largely by the popularity of Battlefield 6 amid a booming demand for action-oriented games.

However, the timing of these layoffs raises questions, particularly in the context of a potential buyout of EA by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Silver Lake Partners. Analysts have identified the considerable $20 billion debt associated with the deal as a potential “ticking time bomb, ”suggesting that these layoffs may be just the beginning as EA prepares for the acquisition.

Regulatory Challenges Ahead

This acquisition is not a foregone conclusion, as it awaits regulatory scrutiny from multiple global entities, including the US’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC). There is growing pressure from US lawmakers urging the FTC to conduct a thorough examination of the deal, reflecting concerns reminiscent of past scrutiny over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these layoffs will affect the future of the Skate franchise and EA’s overall strategy in a competitive gaming landscape.

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