Cheats-Area.com

   A couple of days ago, after Electronic Arts had completed the acquisition of Swedish developer DICE (Digital Illusions), I was wondering when the "Origin syndrome", a.k.a. "Westwood syndrome" would kick in. You know, closing down studios out of the blue, leaving talented people without jobs, the usual EA stuff... Well, little did I know that EA's classic methods had already been put into action!

   As Blue's informes us today, on the morning of October 2 - just hours after EA finalized the buyout of DICE - their Canadian subsidiary was shut down. DICE Canada was responsible for the less admired Battlefield: Vietnam and Battlefield 2: Special Forces games, and the oft-delayed Battlefield 2 patches. So much for those, for a while.

   At the time of its closure, Digital Illusions' Canadian studio reportedly employed 28 people. Guess that's more workforce potentially available at EA Canada now.

   Shutting down a measly DICE satellite may not be something unusual for Electronic Arts anymore. But what's really scary is just how fast they're operating nowdays. Good luck to their next victim!