Electronic Arts has informed staff of its decision to permanently end remote work policies, requiring a full return to office operations.
In an internal email obtained by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized that physical office environments foster "a dynamic energy that sparks creativity, innovation, and collaboration - often leading to breakthrough ideas that enhance player experiences." The company now defines "hybrid work" as spending at least three days weekly in local offices, while gradually eliminating "offsite local" positions.
EA Entertainment president Laura Miele provided additional clarification in a follow-up email, describing the shift from decentralized operations to a standardized global work model:
These policy changes won't take immediate effect. Employees should continue following current business unit guidelines until further notice.
Work model transitions will include a minimum 12-week advance notice before implementation, with timing varying by location.
Hybrid employment now requires at least three in-office days weekly, as detailed in Andrew Wilson's EA Action memo.
The company is establishing a 30-mile (48-km) radius around EA facilities.
Key implications:
Employees within this radius will adopt the hybrid schedule.
Those beyond the boundary may remain remote unless their role specifically requires on-site or hybrid participation.
The Offsite Local category will be discontinued, with transition periods ranging from 3 to 24 months depending on location.
Any exceptions to these policies or future remote hiring will require CEO-level approval.
Anonymous EA employees shared concerns with IGN about extended commutes, childcare challenges, and medical accommodations previously supported by remote work. Workers classified as remote who live beyond the 30-mile limit expressed anxiety about job security if they couldn't relocate closer to offices. Sources indicated existing remote workers face losing their exempt status within 3-24 months per Miele's timeline.
The video game industry, while historically open to remote work, saw widespread adoption during COVID-19's stay-at-home mandates. Many employees relocated to more affordable areas believing remote options were permanent. However, recent return-to-office trends across major studios have created workforce challenges.
Several gaming giants including Rockstar, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard have faced internal and external criticism for similar office recalls, sometimes resulting in staff departures when employees couldn't accommodate relocation demands. EA now joins this growing industry movement back to physical workplaces.
This policy change follows recent EA workforce reductions, including approximately 300 company-wide layoffs, prior BioWare cuts, and nearly 670 terminations last year.
IGN has contacted EA for additional commentary.
