Today, we got some shock news from numerous industry sources that has us all feeling pretty bummed. It seems that EA, the only international game publisher with local offices, will be closing down its South African branch.
EA South Africa, which functioned in the areas of “Sales, Marketing, Finance, IT and Operations” will soon be no longer. EA also manufactured its own PC versions of games locally. We’ve been told that South African EA staff have, as a result, been retrenched – but we’ve also been told they’ve been “looked after” quite nicely in the form of compensation.
What this means for you is that your EA games are quite possibly set to become just a little more expensive, as they’ll now be going through middlemen. It’s not quite certain who’ll be distributing EA games in South Africa in future, but we expect the current distributors to look at bidding. Apex Interactivel already functions as an EA sub-distributor, so it would be easy to imagine them in the lead.
This is quite a blow to the local industry, which seemed like it was primed and ready to become bigger and better. No matter what your feelings about EA as a company, having local EA offices was a good thing; EA games were always considerably cheaper than those from other publishers.
We’ve contacted EA South Africa as well as EA International for comment and tacit confirmation – and will keep you updated. The only comment we’ve been able to get from EA thus far is “Unfortunately, I cannot comment.”
Last Updated: May 8, 2013
DieJason
May 8, 2013 at 14:24
Ah damn 🙁 Nice people too, worked with them at rAge last year.
Admiral Chief Achievement
May 8, 2013 at 14:40
Janee, not nice 🙁
Trebzz
May 8, 2013 at 15:30
Guess you and Carla won’t be doing that again :/
DieJason
May 8, 2013 at 15:32
Well, quite keen to mission up to JHB just to enjoy the expo, will decide a bit later.
Trebzz
May 8, 2013 at 20:29
I want to attend a damn 2UP but last time when I made plans for April they changed it to the following week which screwed everything over for me
matthurstrsa
May 9, 2013 at 07:35
There is always Friday?
umar bastra
May 8, 2013 at 14:25
Jeez that’s hectic, how many people were employed there? any details as to why they closed?
AndriyP
May 8, 2013 at 14:26
And that ladies and gents is how EA makes its money
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 8, 2013 at 14:29
Eina. I may not like their business ethics and there less than friendly approach to customer service but I am not happy to hear this.
Kobus Nel
May 15, 2013 at 11:02
Does this mean we might also loose their local server support?
Trevor Davies
May 8, 2013 at 14:32
It’s fun to troll EA but news like this is never nice.
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:33
That’s too bad… they were more helpful than just about anyone else in the country when it came to issues with games… Will be interesting to see who snatches up the employees.
umar bastra
May 8, 2013 at 14:34
no one, it’s hard as F*** to get a job in this country
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:40
Too true… if you got a job, hold onto it with all you’re worth!!!
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:40
Too true… if you got a job, hold onto it with all you’re worth!!!
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:33
That’s too bad… they were more helpful than just about anyone else in the country when it came to issues with games… Will be interesting to see who snatches up the employees.
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:33
That’s too bad… they were more helpful than just about anyone else in the country when it came to issues with games… Will be interesting to see who snatches up the employees.
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:33
That’s too bad… they were more helpful than just about anyone else in the country when it came to issues with games… Will be interesting to see who snatches up the employees.
Rince da Ref Lvl2
May 8, 2013 at 14:34
Fuck man. They may be dicks but they were good for our status and movement into the ‘real’ world of gaming.
Gareth Lagesse
May 8, 2013 at 14:37
Breaking news tomorrow: EA no longer selling physical games; games purchasable only via Origin.
Trebzz
May 8, 2013 at 14:38
The fire rises first Fergie retires now this? 😛
Admiral Chief Achievement
May 8, 2013 at 14:39
FusterCluck!!!!
Admiral Chief Achievement
May 8, 2013 at 14:39
FusterCluck!!!!
Trevor Davies
May 8, 2013 at 14:42
Dickpickles!
Trevor Davies
May 8, 2013 at 14:42
Dickpickles!
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:51
What the Cluck man!?!?!?
Illuchne Mancera
May 8, 2013 at 14:51
What the Cluck man!?!?!?
OVG OfflineVideoGamer
May 8, 2013 at 14:40
Some shit going down on the 21st. In bed with Microsoft is my bet.
OVG OfflineVideoGamer
May 8, 2013 at 14:40
Some shit going down on the 21st. In bed with Microsoft is my bet.
Abu
May 8, 2013 at 14:48
Shame, EA SA guys were really nice ppl, wish them the best for the future…
Slade Boender
May 8, 2013 at 14:55
Worked with these guys a few times. Good Lads. What shitty news :/
Estian Jaco Hough
May 8, 2013 at 14:59
Sad 😐
Glenn Alexander
May 8, 2013 at 15:03
Hearing about international game studios closing and staff being retrenched is never cool.
When the news hits a little closer to home and we have dealt with the EA South Africa staff on a regular basis it becomes so much more real.
Wishing all the EA SA guys and girls all the best.
Thank you for all the many years (more than a decade) of wonderful memories EA South Africa.
:/
Martin du preez
May 8, 2013 at 15:10
I think the fact that EA makes too much money made them think they don’t need them in S.A anymore. 🙁
Peter Lacey
May 8, 2013 at 15:59
Terrible news. Philip Bromley and Peter Lacey, that’s me, started Vision Software in 1989/90 which is what EA bought to launch their SA offices. Very sad to hear our legacy will pass in the annals of SA gaming history.
Neji
May 8, 2013 at 22:22
So Justin Bieber comes to SA and EA closes down.
Why did he have to come here?!?!?!??!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
matthurstrsa
May 9, 2013 at 07:36
Crappy way to start my day but at least I still have a job. Wish those people all the best.
Brady miaau
May 9, 2013 at 08:39
Yes, that is the point. I feel sorry for anyone facing retrenchment. Think about the families.
matthurstrsa
May 9, 2013 at 08:41
Yeah, its never fun when a company closes down because of all the breadwinners now out of a job. I can only hope that a) most of them are dual income families and b) that they find new jobs quick quick.
Lebogang Molefo
May 9, 2013 at 13:08
BOOOOO EA
JackSparro
May 9, 2013 at 13:39
Ah this sucks! Almost as sad as when I heard the Verge was being taken off from TV, may not have been the best show but was something for gamers and aimed at growing gaming in South Africa. EA leaving may be just another backward step in the growth of gaming in South Africa