Skate 4 Developer Full Circle Lays Off Employees

Restructuring at EA-owned studio raises questions about the future of the beloved Skate franchise

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:13pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.As tensions over autonomous vehicles escalate, a recent wave of targeted street vandalism exposes pent-up frustration with driverless technology.Minneapolis Today

The gaming industry is facing a turbulent time, and the beloved Skate franchise is not immune. In a shocking turn of events, Full Circle, the studio behind the popular Skate series, has announced a restructuring that involves laying off an unknown number of employees. The studio claims this move is to "better support Skate's long-term future," but the impact on individuals is undeniable, with senior artist Tyler De Block and others sharing the news of their layoff.

Why it matters

This is not an isolated incident, as EA has a recent history of job cuts, raising questions about whether these layoffs are truly in the best interest of the games and their players, or if there is more to the story. The future of the beloved Skate series is now uncertain, and the gaming community is grappling with the impact of these changes.

The details

Full Circle, owned by Electronic Arts, claims the layoffs are a strategic decision to "better support Skate's long-term future." However, the exact number of affected employees remains a mystery, as the studio's LinkedIn profile lists 200 staff. Senior artist Tyler De Block and others have shared the news of their layoff, expressing the emotional toll and the sense of community lost. With Skate 4's early access launch last year and its impressive player count, the timing of these layoffs is puzzling.

  • In April 2025, EA eliminated 200 jobs.
  • Additional layoffs have occurred at Respawn Entertainment.

The players

Full Circle

The studio behind the popular Skate series, owned by Electronic Arts.

Tyler De Block

A senior artist at Full Circle who shared the news of his layoff.

Electronic Arts (EA)

The publisher that owns Full Circle and has a recent history of job cuts.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.