There was important adjustments at EA’s Criterion studio following the departure of 5 of its longest-serving leaders.
Matt Webster, VP and GM of Criterion, has left the studio. Webster has been with Criterion for over 23 years, and has been working for EA since 1990. He was a part of the preliminary crew answerable for the primary FIFA recreation.
Additionally departing is govt producer Pete Lake, who first joined Criterion again in 1996 as an artist. He leaves alongside senior technical director Andrei Shires, a 16-year Criterion veteran. Head of studio improvement Alan McDairmant can also be transferring on after 17 years with EA, whereas Steve Uphill, head of content material, leaves following his newest 10-year stint with the developer. All 5 have left to “discover new alternatives exterior of EA”, and comes after the discharge of Want for Velocity Unbound.
Following these departures, David Rutter, GM of EA’s racing group, has introduced that Charity Pleasure is becoming a member of as govt producer for Want for Velocity. Pleasure joins the crew from the EA Sports activities UFC franchise. Elsewhere, Geoff Smith is transferring from his position overseeing the Grime and Grid video games at Codemasters to take the position of senior director of Product Improvement for Want for Velocity. He’ll report on to Pleasure, whereas additionally overseeing EA’s WRC recreation till the spring (when the sport is because of launch). The 2 will work alongside Steve Cuss, head of studio operations at Criterion. Cuss continues in his earlier position and studies to Rutter.
“It’s now been one yr for the reason that gifted groups at Codemasters and Criterion formally got here collectively as one unified drive, driving the way forward for racing leisure,” Rutter wrote to employees. “That is an extremely thrilling time for our group following the latest launch of Want for Velocity Unbound, (which is being hailed as having opened a brand new period for the franchise), the profitable launch of EA SPORTS F1 22 earlier this yr, in addition to important progress on the event of WRC.
“As we glance forward, we all know there’s a powerful alternative to evolve our video games and experiences, and produce them to an excellent broader viewers of followers – with our long-term technique centred on our strengths in licensed motorsports in addition to arcade/open-world racing.”
He concluded: “Constructing off the progress made thus far this yr, with two launches, and much more plans underway for subsequent, we’re assured that we now have the perfect individuals, engaged on the perfect video games, and can obtain nice issues in 2023.”
