These days, I am sure a lot of managers see "cost savings analysis" everywhere, and they may be even dreaming about it, but the truth is that most companies in trouble should think about "quality analysis," and that's exactly what I think about EA, one of the gaming giants that's offering a bitter present to 1,000 of its employees... their pink slips!

I know there should be more to say about this whole story, but when we're talking about big corporations and cost savings analysis, it doesn't matter if the employees who will be victims were expecting to have a good rest at the end of the year, since I am sure that, beyond any words that various people from EA's management could say, those employees are only pawns in a game, and they're the ones to fall simply because EA's is expecting to get annual savings of $120 million out of it...
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Here you have EA's blanket statement which outlines how it will examine each of its series' viability: "EA is implementing a plan to narrow its product portfolio to focus on hit games with higher margin opportunities. The company remains committed to taking creative risks, investing in new games, leading the industry in the growing mobile and online businesses, and delivering high-quality games to consumers."

As far as I can tell, all the mumbo-jumbo above doesn't necessarily mean "good games," but simply "we'll focus on games that sell, before anything else." Well, nothing new here, although they also manage to release some good games... but from now on, the chances to see good games from EA are probably going to be smaller. Much smaller.

Oh, my, things seem to get really tough for everyone these days, and the worst part of it all is that we have to see so many layoffs announced around Christmas. After all, it's not such a tragedy to lose your job - if you're really good, you can always find another one - but finding out about this just before year's most important holiday, that's a bit nasty...

First of all, it seems the closure of Free Radical Design has been confirmed. The good part of it is that a new company is being founded by Dave Doak and Steve Ellis, and 20 staff positions were offered into this new company for people at Free Radical Design, so... crisis is a game, as I was just saying.
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At last, we have EA, who decided to lay off almost 10 percent of the available workforce, so the number of soon to be former EA employees will reach the 1,000 mark. Now, that's what I can really call "crisis," but as long as they're moving in the studio in charge with Need for Speed: Undercover with EA Canada instead of sending them all to grow some tomatoes, instead of ruining great titles... that's enough for me to say.

Other than that, I think the gaming industry will slowly shift its focus toward mobiles, since the smartphone market still grows, and all those iPhone users out there are hungry for more games... but that's what remains to be seen. Anyway, as a final thought - if you're into the industry and just lost your job, or feel insecure, I advise you to think about it - you can always choose a completely different career, and that break after being sent home for good is priceless, believe me! ;)

Do you want to download Wrath of the Lich King and play it for free? I am sure you do, especially if you didn't manage to grab a copy yet, so Blizzard decided to give you a special Christmas present... a 10-day trial for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King!

Since there's not much else to say about Wrath of the Lich King, here's what the official page says about this free trial:

"If you or a friend haven't yet experienced the new content Wrath of the Lich King has to offer, including the chance to face off with the dread Lich King Arthas himself, you can sign up now to play a 10-day free trial version of this latest expansion to World of Warcraft.
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During your 10-day free trial, you'll explore the frozen wastes of Northrend, wield the necromantic powers of the new death knight Hero class, take control of massive siege vehicles in the new open-world PvP zone of Wintergrasp, and much more.

To participate, you’ll need full versions of World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade, as well as a character of at least level 55 (to create a death knight) or level 68 (to explore Northrend). More information on the 10-day free trial is available in our FAQ. Your journey awaits!"

Hmm...level 55/68, that's a tough one, but since most of you got World of Warcraft some time ago, I guess a level 55 character isn't too much to ask, don't you agree?