EA To Close Origin Systems

Electronics Arts is reportedly planning to shut down the Origin Systems development studio in Austin, Texas. The Origin studio, under the direction of Richard Garriott, was famous throughout the eighties and nineties as one of America’s most talented game development studios, having created the modern role-playing game genre with Ultima and enjoying subsequent success with titles such as Wing Commander and Privateer. Since being acquired by Electronic Arts though, the studio has only worked on the Ultima Online MMORPG series. Staff at the studio will apparently be offered the choice of a severance package or relocation to California. The news, if true, follows the recent relocation of Maxis and the closing of Westwood Studios by the company. Source: gamesindustry.biz