EA Visceral Melbourne shutting down - Report

In August this year, THQ confirmed the closure of both its Australian development studios--Blue Tongue and Brisbane's THQ Studios Australia--due to a global restructure of its internal framework.

It now appears EA may be going the same route with the Australian arm of its Visceral Games studio. According to the Melbourne chapter of the International Game Developers Association, IGDA Melbourne, EA Visceral Melbourne staff will meet with human resources personnel this coming Monday, September 19, to discuss the studio's closure.

"More sad news emerging about #EAVisceral Melbourne studio closure," the IGDA chapter posted on its Twitter account. "Happy to help all affected in any way we can."

EA Visceral Melbourne worked on Dead Space, Godfather 2, and Dante's Inferno. According to EA's website, the studio has been working on an unannounced AAA title based on new intellectual property.

An EA representative told GameSpot that the company does not comment on rumours.

UPDATE: EA has confirmed the closure of the studio, telling GameSpot AU:

"With no active project in development at that location, we’ve decided to close the Visceral Melbourne office. They are talented individuals and may find other roles elsewhere in EA, if they choose. EA continues to maintain its mobile studios in Melbourne which are both thriving and hiring."