Jade Raymond has founded her own studio within EA, based out of Montreal and she has some really cool projects in the pipeline already. While she feels like a kid in a candy store, EA is also incredibly pleased with the acquisition of her talents. So is this just a win/win situation for everyone involved? It sure sounds like it.
Speaking to Game Informer, Raymond explained her journey to EA. She was aware of a whole range of different things that she could do, from working within Ubisoft to make new IP, to starting an indie studio or maybe changing to work in a whole new country for a unique audience. However, after much soul searching, she realized what she really wanted to do:
I had to ask myself, “As a human, if I look down the road 10 years from now, what am I going to be happiest having accomplished?” For me, my personal gratification doesn’t come from doing something all myself. It doesn’t come from selling my startup for X amount of money. I’m not really motivated by those things. I like being part of a team. I will ultimately be happiest if I get to be a part of a team that creates another big IP that has an impact culturally. A game that’s a big enough mass-market hit that it has impact and enriches people’s lives or makes a statement.
I think when I looked at different options, it was clear to me that EA’s focus, its desire to fill out an action portfolio with the leadership there and my conversations with Patrick [Söderlund, EA executive vice president], what I really love doing fit into what EA is trying to do strategically. Obviously, wherever you go, you want to feel like you’re filling a real need. It ended up by far the most exciting thing for me.
She is also a huge fan of the relationships between studios at EA, as well as the universal use of the Frostbite engine. She explains how she can focus on the game itself, instead of building an engine to make sure the characters walk properly. Plus, in news that made me squee a bit too much, she’s also been in talks with Bioware about collaboration.
EA is also pretty happy to have her on board, as evidenced in the GameSpot interview with Peter Moore:
EA is a great place for where Jade’s career is at right now; she has a great vision for what she believes the future of IP is. She is great at bringing the best out of development teams. She manages classic, high quality, triple-A projects with big budgets, and brings them in on time and on quality.
Bringing in female talent is very important to the company. Jade and Amy are a year, or two, out from their project deadlines right now. It’s a great pipeline of games, and a testament to the way EA thinks about hiring women into senior development and management positions.
I am really glad that there are women in top leadership positions at EA, even if reading it phrased in that way makes me cringe a bit. Both are extremely talented, and I wish we could focus on that instead of their genders, but it’s still really cool. I am happy to hear that EA is a cool place to work and that new IP is imminent. A few more years of good news like this, and I might actually forget all about EA getting all those poo awards.
Last Updated: August 17, 2015
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 17, 2015 at 12:08
I say this with great respect.
Stay the hell away from Mass Effect! I don’t want anything related to Watch Dogs near my favorite IP.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:19
They’re totally adding cellphones to ME4. It’s innovative. Just accept it.
Pariah
August 17, 2015 at 12:20
*Quantum phones
Geez, do you even ME bro?
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:28
I’m getting old. It’s hard to keep up with all this technology stuff. 🙁
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 17, 2015 at 14:25
Since it is pretty much a point to point device that costs more than a small military outfit it is one phone you DO NOT want to lose after a night of hard drinking. 🙂
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 17, 2015 at 14:24
They already have a hacking capable phone. The Apple iOmnitool. 🙂
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 12:13
Unless you’re playing scrabble, good words count for nothing. I’ll never forget EA, but deliver good games & stop screwing over customers & just maybe I’ll revise my opinion.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:15
Yea, I really just think they should produce decent games with decent support.
EA has the good customer support, maybe Ubi can learn something from that.
About listening to customers, there’s something to really start looking into for both companies.
RinceThis
August 17, 2015 at 13:04
Why are you so angry?!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:05
I didn’t reply to the pictures he sent me.
To be honest, I didn’t know what response he was looking for.
RinceThis
August 17, 2015 at 13:07
Oh I think you do *smug nod*
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 13:15
It’s not that hard – “Do these jeans make my arse look big?” What’s the goddamn problem with answering a simple question?
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:18
LOOOL
RinceThis
August 17, 2015 at 13:25
No, it’s your arse in the jeans that makes your arse look fat!
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 13:13
Because I’m awake. :/
RinceThis
August 17, 2015 at 13:25
lol.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:16
Jade Raymond IS spiderman! O.O
Pariah
August 17, 2015 at 12:20
I had to google who the hell this is. And now I have one question: why should we care? It’s just a person who used to be an exec who’s starting her own studio. So, what’s the big deal?
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:22
She got Bewbs! And is an exec in the sexist lands of video gamez!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:23
That statement just says so much.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:24
Like I’m not even sure if he was being sarcastic or not. But knowing that it’s Dutch.. nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:24
There is no line.
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:26
There is. And we will hold the line!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:27
Love isn’t always on time?
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:27
What is LOVE? Baby don’t hurt me…. don’t hurt me….
Pariah
August 17, 2015 at 12:24
Topical reference ftw.
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:27
It was SO topical!
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:26
They want equal rights for women. Then they all go: GUYS! We employed a GIRL!!! Tell the world!
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:31
The key in your statement is that they and they are not the same interest groups. 😛
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:32
YES! I have no idea what you said, but: YES!
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:25
It does, does it not?
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:27
Okay. Let’s try to explain this to you in a way you’ll understand.
Hmmmm.
*movietrailer voice
In a world *doosh doosh *doosh doosh* where women are discriminated against…
*doosh doosh *doosh doosh
One will stand up for her sisters…
*doosh doosh *doosh doosh
And show the gaming industry…
*doosh doosh *doosh doosh
Not to mess with her tortillas!
Jade Raymond is little tortilla girl!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:27
You just blew my mind with those sound effects. XD
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:28
Hahahaha. I HAD NO IDEA HOW ELSE TO TYPE THAT SOUND!
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 12:29
Like this: BVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVM
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:29
Lol.
Hammersteyn
August 17, 2015 at 12:38
lol
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:39
Hahaha. I can hear that
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 12:40
Watch a movie trailer with oVg & that’s ALL you’ll hear.
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:42
Doosh is the sound you hear when a guy on motorbike forces himself past you in his imaginary lane on the N1.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:43
Do you mean lane splitting?
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:50
Lane splitting, is when a bike passes very slow/still standing traffic IF there space in the lane (black parts between the lines).
These days all I see self entitled assholes with death wishes causing property damage.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:54
Well your original comment failed to specify a speed. 😛
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:56
It’s not against the law as long as you don’t go a specific amount of kmph faster than the cars (I have no idea how much that is). But that’s where the problem comes in. Because they don’t abide to that most of the time.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:58
I ride a motorcycle and adhere to the rules of the road all the time and all I see is self entitled assholes on four wheels with death wishes causing property damage.
See what I did there?
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:00
Haha. Nice. Don’t get me wrong. I rode bikes for a very large part of my life. Love it. Major accident made me have to promise to my wife not to get one again though.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 13:00
I understand this. +1
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:01
I’m fine with it, tbh. I prefer life anyway. ;P
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 13:03
Life is for living. I prefer life too. It’s why I ride. 😉
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:04
Haha. Don’t make me jealous. Damn it.
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 13:08
Less than 20km/h differential, total speed less than 60 km/h IF THERE IS SPACE.
If my car is standing to right of the lane because there is big ass pothole on the left do not try to kick off my damn mirror; especially if you can not lift your leg high enough because of your big beer gut.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:09
Haha. Yes. Agreed,
Pariah
August 17, 2015 at 12:28
I reiterate. Why should we care? Equality isn’t here. This is highlighting the problem. So it’d be a big deal if it just happened and we found out about it at E3 when her studio’s first game was announced.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:29
You remind me of Keanu Reeves in that very same skit. 😛
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:29
We make it sound like we DON’T live in one of the worst countries when it comes to equality. Only in many cases here it’s reversed.
Pariah
August 17, 2015 at 12:31
Men don’t have rights in SA. Trust me on this. We don’t. Yet nobody fights for us. One woman gets a studio and the world loses their minds.
Who fucking cares? People start studios all the time. And as @disqus_YCIicGKzx5:disqus says – if women want equal rights then they should be treated the same, right? Who gives a fuck if a man opens a studio? Nobody. They care if they’ve made games before, but if they haven’t, the studio is only heard about IF their first game sounds interesting enough – otherwise they fade into obscurity.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:20
“the way EA thinks about hiring women into senior development and management positions.”
Hopefully by just hiring the best person for the job. Woman, man, alien. Whichever. Should there be a specific way of thinking about hiring women into senior positions?
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:40
So glad I EA said that, as I was reading the report it sounded like EA was just making good decisions.
Vulcha
August 17, 2015 at 12:30
Off topic, but is the site now really really slow?
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:31
Stop some of that porn you are downloading! *Runs
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:32
*reads review downloads game
Guys is Lazygamer slow now?
😛
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:32
It’s slower, methinks.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:32
Mine just refuses to work on my iPad anymore. It just randomly crashes.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:33
*makes pro android comment just for the sake of ranting*
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:34
Internet Explorer FTW!
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:34
IE so bad even MS dropped it.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:35
IE is like the UPlay of browsers.
No wait, shame, it’s not that bad.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:36
UPlay is the client that the devil would use to get back to Earth if the Winchesters hadn’t of sealed him away for good!
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:37
Then we’re safe with those connection issues.
Hammersteyn
August 17, 2015 at 12:37
IE is so bad, people figured out how to download Firefox without using IE
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:39
Firefox is the humble good guy, who only asks that people give him a try.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 12:40
It’s a trap! Don’t believe Rince’s lies.
Hammersteyn
August 17, 2015 at 12:41
I love it, the name, the themes, the memory usage
*Frowns at Chrome
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 12:45
I recently put Chrome back on when I formatted my pc. I missed Firefox immediately and apologised.
Hammersteyn
August 17, 2015 at 12:46
lol
Dutch Matrix
August 17, 2015 at 12:36
Please deliver that small piece of news to our IT Department?
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:36
IE so bad it is the only browser the South African Government supports.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 12:37
Is the North v South conflict still going? I thought that finished a long long time ago? 😛
HvR
August 17, 2015 at 12:37
Edit done just in time
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 12:34
Oh look at Dutch, living on the Edge.
Matthew Holliday
August 17, 2015 at 12:46
aye, the lag is real
Stosta
August 17, 2015 at 13:00
Did someone forget to chain up The D this morning? He’s clearly touched something important…
Viking Of Science
August 17, 2015 at 13:00
Is it just me, or has it been a while since EA really Screwed the pooch on something….
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:01
The new NFS 2015 is online only and has no manual transmissions.
There it is. 😉
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 13:01
That’s the norm with EA. 😛
Captain JJ Fantasticus
August 17, 2015 at 13:02
True
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
August 17, 2015 at 13:01
A certain HUGE EA game is about to be delivered. Surely we shouldn’t jinx it? 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 17, 2015 at 13:03
Don’t worry, they’re releasing a major franchise game in time for xmas AND a movie. Something is bound to go wrong.
konfab
August 17, 2015 at 16:16
It saddens me to say this, but I think EA are just covering their backsides from the SJW crowd. It is not a case of if but when one of their games will get targeted by a twitter mob. Having a politically correct exec will provide some cover from their vitriol.
Not to be nasty but Watch Doges and Assassins Creed are not the pinnacle of gaming. Now if it were Kellee Santiago, it would be a completely different situation.