Electronic Arts (EA) has recently unveiled a major shift in its workplace policy that compels local employees to return to the office for a minimum of three days each week. This new directive signals a move towards diminishing the prevalence of remote work within the company.
In this revised hybrid model, employees who live within a 30-mile radius of an EA office are required to commute to the office at least three times a week. Those situated further away, however, may continue to work remotely unless their specific roles dictate otherwise. Interestingly, EA has announced plans to phase out the “Offsite Local work model” over the next “three to 24 months,” although this timeline may vary by location, leaving many remote workers in limbo about their job security.
Conversations with IGN have revealed that employees are concerned about the potential for current remote work exemptions to be revoked within the next couple of years, creating uncertainty about the future landscape of remote roles.
It appears that fully remote positions are likely to become rare. Any exceptions or future remote roles will now require explicit approval from Andrew Wilson, EA’s CEO, or President Laura Miele. Miele framed these adjustments as a shift towards a unified, company-wide work model, distancing it from the decentralized approach that characterized past practices.
In explaining the motivation behind this shift, Wilson highlighted the belief that in-person work fosters “a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection.” This, he argues, is essential for achieving unexpected breakthroughs that enrich player experiences.
Nova Play has reached out to EA for further information about how this new policy might affect their studios in the UK.
The push for employees to return to the office has elicited varied reactions across the industry. For instance, in March 2024, developers at Rockstar faced backlash for a sudden decision to enforce a full-time return to the office during the high-profile GTA 6 project, with many labeling it “reckless.” Similarly, Activision’s mandates prompted protests from Call of Duty developers last autumn, coinciding with striking employees at Ubisoft in Paris. Additionally, in late 2023, Roblox initiated a policy requiring most of its staff to either return to the office part-time or face severance.
