Playing an infamous, blood-sucking character? Chances are you’ve been forced out of every major city in Cyrodiil by overzealous guards who see your fangs and red eyes and want to slaughter your vampire butt, right? Well, if that’s the case, where els

05/27 — 2025 by abduzeedo Explore Carlos el Rojo's "Visual Games" — a masterclass in illustration, wit, and conceptual design. Discover his unique approach to visual storytelling. Hey, design enthusiasts! Today, let's dive into the captivating world of Carlos el Rojo, an illustrator whose work truly embodies the spirit of playful yet profound visual communication. His series, aptly titled "Visual Games," offers a fresh perspective on how ideas can take shape with minimal fuss but maximum impact. Carlos el Rojo, a celebrated illustrator, approaches his creations as "small visual ideas, quick to execute, but with a twist". These aren't your typical commissioned pieces. Instead, they are a testament to his dedication to "training the eye and saying something meaningful with as little as possible". This philosophy resonates deeply with anyone passionate about concise and powerful illustration. The Spark of Inspiration The journey into "Visual Games" began for Carlos after a transformative workshop with Javier Jaén. This experience, as he describes, "helped me unlock something". It fostered a habit of embracing ideas without overthinking, allowing for a fluid, organic creative process. This approach is something many designers can relate to—the freedom to just go with it when inspiration strikes. His work often carries layers of meaning. Sometimes it is ironic, sometimes poetic, and occasionally, it might even be a little uncomfortable. Yet, each piece shares a common thread: "they're made with curiosity and without pretense". This genuine curiosity is what makes his illustration so compelling. Each "game" is a lesson in visual identity and concise storytelling. They are not just pretty pictures; they are small puzzles, contradictions, or metaphors that challenge the viewer to think beyond the obvious. This approach to illustration is a masterclass in making every element count. The Power of Play Carlos el Rojo's "Visual Games" serve as a potent reminder that design, at its core, is about problem-solving and communication. By embracing curiosity and letting ideas flow, he creates work that is both engaging and thought-provoking. His illustrations are a testament to the power of a simple idea executed with precision and a touch of genius. For more inspiration and to explore his full portfolio, be sure to visit Carlos el Rojo's official website: carloselrojo.com and his Instagram. Art and illustration artifacts Tags art illustration

Technology  Rate this post Africa is a large and beautiful continent. It has many countries, cultures, and people. Each country is unique. Some are small, while others are very large. In this article, we will explore how many countries are in Africa. We will also learn some interesting facts about them. How Many Countries Are in Africa in 2025? As of 2025, Africa has 54 recognized countries. These countries are members of the African Union (AU). Some sources may list 55 or 56. That is because of disputed territories. However, the official number is 54 countries. What Are These Countries? Here is a list of all 54 African countries: Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Are There Any Disputed Regions? Yes, there are. Some regions are not fully recognized. The most well-known is Western Sahara. It wants independence. Some countries support it. Others do not. It is a disputed region. That’s why numbers may vary across sources. What Is the African Union? The African Union (AU) is like a family of African countries. It helps them work together. The AU has 55 members. This includes Western Sahara. That is why some people count 55 countries. But the United Nations recognizes 54 countries in Africa. How Is Africa Divided Geographically? Africa is usually divided into five regions: North Africa – Includes Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan. West Africa – Includes Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and many more. Central Africa – Includes Cameroon, Chad, and Congo. East Africa – Includes Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Southern Africa – Includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. These regions are based on geography and culture. Each region has its languages and traditions. Which Is the Largest Country in Africa? Algeria is the largest country by land area. It is in North Africa. It covers over 2.3 million square kilometers. Which Is the Smallest Country in Africa? Seychelles is the smallest African country. It is a group of islands. It is located in the Indian Ocean. It has a population of less than 100,000 people. What Is the Most Populated Country in Africa? Nigeria has the most people in Africa. It has over 223 million people in 2025. That is a huge number. Nigeria is also a strong economy in the continent. Which Country Is the Youngest? South Sudan is the newest African country. It became independent in 2011. It was part of Sudan before. How Many Languages Are Spoken in Africa? Africa is full of languages. Over 2,000 languages are spoken across the continent. Some countries have more than 100 languages. What Are the Most Spoken Languages? Some common languages in Africa include: Arabic (mainly in North Africa) Swahili (East Africa) Hausa (West Africa) Amharic (Ethiopia) English and French (used in many countries) These languages help people from different tribes talk to each other. What Religions Are Practiced in Africa? Africa has many religions. The most common are: Islam – followed mostly in North and West Africa Christianity – followed in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa Traditional African Religions – still practiced in rural areas Religion plays an important role in African life. What Makes Africa Special? Africa is the second-largest continent. It is rich in culture, wildlife, and history. It has deserts, rainforests, and savannas. Africa is home to the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Is Africa Growing Fast? Yes, very fast. Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world. Many people are under 25. Cities are growing. Technology is spreading. New businesses are starting. Africa is changing quickly. Top Cities in Africa Some of the largest and busiest cities are: Lagos (Nigeria) Cairo (Egypt) Johannesburg (South Africa) Nairobi (Kenya) Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) These cities are centers of business, culture, and government. Tourism in Africa Africa has many tourist spots. People visit for safaris, beaches, and ancient places. Some famous places include: Pyramids of Egypt Serengeti National Park Victoria Falls Table Mountain Sahara Desert Tourism is growing fast in many African countries. Conclusion Africa is a vibrant and powerful continent. It has 54 unique and independent countries. Each one adds value to the continent. From deserts to cities, from languages to religions, Africa has it all. Knowing how many countries are in Africa helps us understand its diversity. Africa will continue to grow in 2025 and beyond. Tech World TimesTech World Times (TWT), a global collective focusing on the latest tech news and trends in blockchain, Fintech, Development & Testing, AI and Startups. If you are looking for the guest post then contact at techworldtimes@gmail.com

Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 Stellar Blade can be pre-ordered on PC, however as per sony's longstanding policy: People are complaining, and it seems the Stellar Blade X account did not know this was going to happen:   Last edited: Friday at 1:42 PM NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin Seems Sony fucked ShiftUp over here ? (Bad communication)  dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 One day Sony will pull out their head from their own ass. NovumVeritas said: Seems Sony fucked ShiftUp over here ? (Bad communication) Click to expand... Click to shrink... They f-ed Arrowhead too because if i remember correctly Arrowhead never fully implemented PSN account into Helldivers 2 but sony still region locked that game while it was hot.  Trick_GSF Member Nov 2, 2017 1,644 This thing is so, so dumb.   Linus815 Member Oct 29, 2017 24,097 sony is so ass   Dest Has seen more 10s than EA ever will Coward Jun 4, 2018 16,028 Work Sony has gotta figure this shit out   Audiblee Member Mar 14, 2025 1,551 What is the reason it's blocked? Because PSN isn't in those countries?   senj Member Nov 6, 2017 8,698 It's a hell of an act, what do you call it? "Sony's PC Publishing Strategy"  super-famicom Avenger Oct 26, 2017 30,601 New Pope is furious   NeoRaider Member Feb 7, 2018 9,166 Audiblee said: What is the reason it's blocked? Because PSN isn't in those countries? Click to expand... Click to shrink... But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game.  Jawbreaker Member Oct 25, 2017 8,998 New York City Classic. Hope this can serve as a catalyst for breaking down the region blocks.   NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin dex3108 said: They f-ed Arrowhead too because if i remember correctly Arrowhead never fully implemented PSN account into Helldivers 2 but sony still region locked that game while it was hot. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah I remember that. People were pretty angry about this. Sony is so out of touch on PC..   Audiblee Member Mar 14, 2025 1,551 NeoRaider said: But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game. Click to expand... Click to shrink... What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused.   senj Member Nov 6, 2017 8,698 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Nobody knows. There does not appear to be any good reason.   Arubedo Unshakable Resolve Member Dec 24, 2018 1,219 Sony are the dumbest PC publisher i've ever seen, what even is the point region locking the games when they removed every PSN account restrictions?   cowbanana Member Feb 2, 2018 16,364 a Socialist Utopia At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 NovumVeritas said: Yeah I remember that. People were pretty angry about this. Sony is so out of touch on PC.. Click to expand... Click to shrink... i mean they show it constantly, even with pricing. Their games are late and almost full price if not full price at PC release. Even if there was no region lock i get brand new games for 30-50 euros like Expedition 33 and Mafia The Old Country, while their late releases are 50-80 euros.  nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 30,114 cowbanana said: At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol. Click to expand... Click to shrink... oof the first? sony game with denuvo   SirKai Member Dec 28, 2017 10,174 Washington This continues to be the biggest Sony Playstation fumble in years. They've made the PSN linking optional and STILL region lock their PC releases! I genuinely, fully, do not fucking understand it.   jitteryzeitgeist Member May 26, 2023 9,180 A quiet place Sony can't be stopped. SirKai said: This is the biggest Sony Playstation fumble in years. They've made the PSN linking optional and STILL region lock their PC releases! I genuinely, fully, do not fucking understand it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I can wrap my head around most corporate decisions and at least see the weird MBA bro logic behind them. Nothing Sony is doing makes any fucking sense, even with that mindset.  Kneefoil Member Oct 25, 2017 4,953 I'm guessing region availability is limited to countries with PSN accounts because of this completely optional thing.   NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin dex3108 said: i mean they show it constantly, even with pricing. Their games are late and almost full price if not full price at PC release. Even if there was no region lock i get brand new games for 30-50 euros like Expedition 33 and Mafia The Old Country, while their late releases are 50-80 euros. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah. The price point for this game is also really hilarious. It has the same price when it was released new on Playstation 5. It's fucking dumb. Also using Denuvo and doing this PSN crap, Sony doing everything this will go wait for sale direction or it will bomb.   Polk Avenger Oct 26, 2017 6,011 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I wonder if that's just default settings for Sony PC releases and nobody bothered to change that.   harinezumi Member Oct 27, 2017 20,530 Buenos Aires, Argentina   J-Skee The Wise Ones Member Oct 25, 2017 13,287 NeoRaider said: But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game. Click to expand... Click to shrink... They publish it, so they treat it like everything else. It's a smaller that no one really cares about, but Midnight Murder Club is also like this.   Raysoul Fat4All Ruined My Rug Member Oct 26, 2017 3,459 HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA! A year has passed, GoT and Helldivers 2 are still region locked. Then this happened.  dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Polk said: I wonder if that's just default settings for Sony PC releases and nobody bothered to change that. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's not, they are aware because it was 170 regions up until few months ago when they unblocked 40 countries.  andshrew Member Oct 27, 2017 2,897 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Sony really messed up with all the drama around this last year, so the assumption would be Sony legal say these are the countries we do business in (ie. countries where PSN is available); and those are the only countries we will now sell in whether or not a PSN login is required.  Xando Member Oct 28, 2017 37,627 Don't understand why they don't learn. Like why even walk into this PR mess with every game   P40L0 Member Jun 12, 2018 9,582 Italy super-famicom said: New Pope is furious Click to expand... Click to shrink... Dead! 🤣   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,859 Peru Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Xando said: Don't understand why they don't learn. Like why even walk into this PR mess with every game Click to expand... Click to shrink... Because there is actually no PR mess. Nobody questions them from outlets, people who can't play game kinda don't have anywhere big to complain for Sony to notice so they simply don't care.  Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,737 Melbourne, Australia Sony you buffoons. My god   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 HardRojo said: Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not sure how you got that from the title though.   Letters Prophet of Truth Avenger Oct 27, 2017 5,199 Portugal What possible reason could there be for this decision? What's the problem with people buying from other random regions? Or lying about location when creating PSN accounts? Does it devalue the data they sell on people or what? I'm genuinely curious about the reason from their point of view for such an unpopular decision. Kneefoil said: I'm guessing region availability is limited to countries with PSN accounts because of this completely optional thing. Click to expand... Click to shrink... How nice of Sony to avoid making players feel sad or upset because of missing out on this one costume.  Last edited: Thursday at 1:04 PM Fulcrum Member Nov 7, 2022 2,088 I didn't know it required PSN. Guess I won't be buying it on PC. Maybe I'll grab it on PS5 sometime.   Arubedo Unshakable Resolve Member Dec 24, 2018 1,219 Fulcrum said: I didn't know it required PSN. Guess I won't be buying it on PC. Maybe I'll grab it on PS5 sometime. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It doesn't require PSN tho.   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,859 Peru Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The title doesn't mention Sony at all, so my first thought wasn't Sony's policies. It's just as I said, the title should reflect the fact that it's because of Sony.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I agree with that post, you should have added "devs apparently weren't aware how dumb Sony is"  OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 HardRojo said: The title doesn't mention Sony at all, so my first thought wasn't Sony's policies. It's just as I said, the title should reflect the fact that it's because of Sony. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Ok fair enough, I just assumed it was obvious since it's a Sony-published title.   Sabretooth Member Oct 27, 2017 5,673 India What are those unknown country codes? What shadow nations is Sony hiding from us   Fulcrum Member Nov 7, 2022 2,088 Arubedo said: It doesn't require PSN tho. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Oh, I misread. Guess I'll find out when it releases.  Mobius and Pet Octopus Member Oct 25, 2017 16,813 Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's how you said it was blocked when it's actually the product doing the blocking.  Catchphrase Member Nov 28, 2023 2,322 Sabretooth said: What are those unknown country codes? What shadow nations is Sony hiding from us Click to expand... Click to shrink... AN is Atlantis, clearly   sderttreds Member Jan 6, 2023 1,249 oh what, sony is the publisher? won't really trust them with steam release   chrominance Sky Van Gogh Member Oct 25, 2017 16,264 HardRojo said: Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I sort of get where you're coming from, and someone who isn't aware of Sony's policies around this could definitely be confused. At the same time: did people actually think 130 countries all decided, independently or in concert, to block Stellar Blade? How often do 130 countries agree on ANYTHING?  Greywaren Member Jul 16, 2019 13,085 Spain Reset the "Sony fucks things up for no reason" clock once again.   Acidote Member Oct 26, 2017 5,834 cowbanana said: At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Thanks, I didn't notice that. Removed from the wishlist.   Raysoul Fat4All Ruined My Rug Member Oct 26, 2017 3,459 Title should be "In a very baffling decision, Sony doesn't want these countries to play Stellar Blade on PC"   jitteryzeitgeist Member May 26, 2023 9,180 A quiet place chrominance said: How often do 130 countries agree on ANYTHING? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Just about every nation on earth agrees on one orange, bloated, stupid thing being awful, but that's about it. 

Grapezard Member Nov 16, 2017 8,356 Yup, the legendary dogs beasts cats of Johto. Which is your favorite? You got Entei, the Volcano Pokemon. Suicune, the Aurora Pokemon. and Raikou, the Thunder Pokemon.   mopinks Member Oct 27, 2017 32,684 I'm not crazy about any of em but I'll give it to suicune   AgentStrange Member Oct 25, 2017 4,998 None. I take Zoloft. Entei   DanteSparda504 Member Nov 2, 2017 4,829 Birmingham, AL Suicune is my favorite. I think the only forgettable one is Raikou.   Rustyspider13 Shinra Employee Member Nov 16, 2023 3,584 Suicune, there is a majestic nature about it. Never used any of them in battle though.   RochHoch One Winged Slayer Member May 22, 2018 21,257 Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature  nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,958 raikou is where its at. entei is a loser   nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,958 RochHoch said: Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature Click to expand... Click to shrink... how do you go from sabre tooth dog to a giraffe   Hero Prinny Member Oct 25, 2017 3,826 DanteSparda504 said: Suicune is my favorite. I think the only forgettable one is Raikou. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Thats cause TPC never did anything with it. Entei got a movie & suicine got a movie and a game. They told poor raikou to go kick rocks   Shuckle Member Mar 30, 2018 598 Suicune is the coolest and was really fun to play in Gen 3 I think. Substitute/Calm Mind/Surf/Rest or Ice Beam if I recall was a really powerful moveset.   RochHoch One Winged Slayer Member May 22, 2018 21,257 nsilvias said: how do you go from sabre tooth dog to a giraffe Click to expand... Click to shrink... Alternate timelines that don't make sense, apparently. Must be from an unga bunga Flinstones universe full of dinosaur Pokemon   TheAggroCraig This guy are sick of the One Winged Slayer Member Nov 6, 2017 7,286 Suicune is the best of the GSC legendaries, but Raging Bolt is by far the best of the paradoxes.   DoctorPlayer MD "This guy are sick" Member Feb 4, 2021 2,728 Brazil All 3 of them are great, but Suicune's my favorite.   Foolish Member Jun 23, 2022 1,507 Okay so Raikou has the most fun name to say. Raikou. Hell yeah. Love it. But I don't like its purple hair that runs down its back. Feels excessive to the design and is way too similar to what Suicune has going on. And the tail feels weirder the more you look at it. Entei has the best design of the lot. Simultaneously comes across as both a lion and also some pure fantasy beast. And those black bands on its legs give the impression that it was once shackled in chains, and has now broken free. So good. I think the purple mane on Suicune clashes way too much with its other colors, and I think its face looks weird. And it cursed my childhood for years because I could not, for the life of me, figure out how its name is supposed to be pronounced. Entei >> Raikou >>>>> Suicune  Faiyaz Member Nov 30, 2017 6,599 Bangladesh Entei is the fucking GOAT   mrmickfran The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 33,133 Gongaga Suicune my beloved   Beren One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 4,992 Enter, but that's definitely due to my exposure to the third movie. Suicune is definitely cool and I won't knock anyone for picking that one. Raikou was great competitively but it just couldn't compete. Had no idea what the vibes were.  NetOpWibby Member Nov 15, 2017 75 Carina Nebula SUICUUUUUNE Gimme Pokémon Crystal with Breath of the Wild mechanics and I'm good for a decade.  -Le Monde- Avenger Dec 8, 2017 14,228 My favorite legendary trio. Really hard to choose. Probably Raikou  ForteanMan Member Oct 25, 2017 571 Dongguan, China Think it's Suicune for me largely because of Pokémon Crystal.   StrappingYoungLance Member Oct 27, 2017 7,764 Melbourne, Australia Picking Suicune is for mids.   Bucca Member Oct 25, 2017 5,435 Suicune the GOAT   mnk Member Nov 11, 2017 7,937 Raikou's the only one I like.   Lightsong Member Nov 11, 2022 9,346 Suicune! I also like the dino version:   Dogui Member Oct 28, 2017 10,911 Brazil Suicine is the only not fugly one.   Rocky Road Member Jun 1, 2018 1,006 Suicune is gonna be the most popular due to Crystal, I'm interested in what a straight Entei vs Raikou would be if all the Suicune voters had to vote for one of those two   Buzzkiller_20 Corrupted by Vengeance Member Oct 27, 2017 2,522 I like Entei because of the movie, Suicune design wise, and Raikou because of the bond i had with him in Heartgold. Helped me beat the game and beat Pearl as well when I transferred him over. It's hard to choose which one i like the most, but i think i will give it to Suicune. His design is great and water types are my favorite, so I choose Suicune.   hydruxo ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 25, 2017 22,672 They're all about even for me but Suicune has an ethereal vibe to it that puts it over the edge for me   Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,657 Melbourne, Australia mopinks said: I'm not crazy about any of em but I'll give it to suicune Click to expand... Click to shrink... Exactly this   Stencil Mailing His Own Damn Business Member Oct 30, 2017 13,464 USA I suppose Raikou is a very distant second to Suicune. But Suicune is far and away the coolest and best. Poor Entei.  MimicBox82 Member Jan 9, 2018 5,406 Sweden Suicune is the cutest, so I'll go with that.   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,818 Peru Raikou, always. RochHoch said: Can I cheat and say Raging Bolt What a beautifully silly creature Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not whatever this monstrosity is. And yeah, someone's gonna claim "well, that's not Raikou".   Shoichi Member Jan 10, 2018 12,459 favorite typing is water pokemon, so Suicune has been one of my favorites since Crystal.   Tsaki Member Feb 12, 2019 419 youngster: Suicune teenager: Raikou adulthood: Entei  Silver9 Saw the truth behind the copied door Member Oct 31, 2017 1,228 Suicune is a majestic pokemon.   Rouk' Member Jan 10, 2018 9,530 To this day, I still don't understand why Raikou is the least popular   Kneefoil Member Oct 25, 2017 4,945 Entei's the coolest, for sure. Suicune's the most iconic these days, though.   onibirdo Member Dec 9, 2020 3,555 I recently watched ProZD's Pokémon ranking videos. He calls Entei "your angry dad as a Pokémon" which is weirdly accurate.  

--R Being sued right now, please help me find a lawyer Member Oct 25, 2017 15,503 Electronic Arts has announced to employees that it will be ending its remote working policies permanently, and implementing a full return to office. In an email sent to employees today viewed by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson said that in-person work results in "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for our players." He then went on to broadly outline that "hybrid work" would now be defined as a "minimum of three days a week in your local office," and that "offsite local roles" would be gradually phased out. Click to expand... Click to shrink... In a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president, Laura Miele, also viewed by IGN, she clarified further details, describing the company as moving from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model": Click to expand... Click to shrink... These changes will not take effect immediately. Employees should continue working as directed by your Business Unit until further notice, regardless of where you live. Work model transitions will come with a minimum 12-week notice period before any changes are implemented. The timing will vary by location and will be communicated locally with plenty of notice. Hybrid work will mean working from your local office at least three days per week–this aligns with what's outlined in Andrew's EA Action. We are introducing a new 30-mile/48-km radius around EA locations. What this means: Employees who live within 30-miles/48-km of an EA location will transition to a Hybrid work model. Employees who live outside the 30-mile/48-km radius will be considered remote unless their role is designated as On Site or Hybrid. We will also sunset the Offsite Local work model. Depending on your location, this transition may take 3 to 24 months. Any work model exception and future Remote hires will require a CEO Direct's /my approval. Several sources within EA speaking to IGN anonymously said that employees were upset and confused, with some employees sharing hours-long commutes they were now being expected to make, or expressing concerns regarding childcare or personal medical conditions that had benefited from remote work. Others, classified as remote and outside the 30-mile range, expressed concern for what would happen to their roles if they were unwilling or unable to move closer to an office long-term. Two sources explained to IGN that per the breakdown sent by Miele, existing remote workers would have their "exemptions" to return to office "sunset" sometime in the next 3 to 24 months. Click to expand... Click to shrink... EA Pushes Full Return to Office, Effectively Ends Remote Hiring - IGN Electronic Arts has announced to employees that it will be ending its remote working policies permanently, and implementing a full return to office. www.ign.com   Lirael Member Oct 27, 2017 16,623 So, mass layoffs incoming then.   ASleepingMonkey The Fallen Oct 26, 2017 4,575 Iowa 3 - 24 months is such an absurd window for that one point lol   Star-Lord Member Oct 25, 2017 7,941 That fucking sucks, I don't understand how a job can be done for this many years remote / hybrid and they now decide nah   ket Member Jul 27, 2018 15,035 worthless fucking management   Capricorn "This guy are sick" Avenger Oct 25, 2017 902 Fuck EA and any other company that pulls this kind of shit.   Last edited: Today at 6:41 PM MANTRA Member Feb 21, 2024 1,093 More layoffs without doing the laying off.   TeenageFBI One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 11,313 "Sunset" is just the worst verb.   Skel1ingt0n Member Oct 28, 2017 11,466 Lirael said: So, mass layoffs incoming then. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yep, this is what you should take from this. Our company went from (for some roles) - "you can work wherever and we're definitely keeping that way" to "if you live within 45 miles and 60 min of the office, you need to come in 3-4 days a week" all in a matter of two months. Of course some people say "eff that," which is what they want. It's a silent layoff.  super-famicom Avenger Oct 26, 2017 30,398 Boooo   Azzie Member Dec 1, 2024 673 Andrew Wilson said that in-person work results in "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for our players." Click to expand... Click to shrink... Says the man who only has 1 answer to everything "live service microtransactions".  Skel1ingt0n Member Oct 28, 2017 11,466 ASleepingMonkey said: 3 - 24 months is such an absurd window for that one point lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... Lines up nicely for when we'll get our next tidbit of Mass Effect information.  NinjaScooter Member Oct 25, 2017 60,606 Star-Lord said: That fucking sucks, I don't understand how a job can be done for this many years remote / hybrid and they now decide nah Click to expand... Click to shrink... middle and upper management have to look like they are doing something.  loco Member Jan 6, 2021 8,548 Wow I know people at EA that work from states that have no official offices. That really sucks   Khanimus Avenger Oct 25, 2017 46,384 Greater Vancouver 🖕   Kill3r7 Member Oct 25, 2017 28,969 Skel1ingt0n said: Yep, this is what you should take from this. Our company went from (for some roles) - "you can work wherever and we're definitely keeping that way" to "if you live within 45 miles and 60 min of the office, you need to come in 3-4 days a week" all in a matter of two months. Of course some people say "eff that," which is what they want. It's a silent layoff. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The economy isn't exactly booming right now but your analysis is spot on.  WildArms Member Apr 30, 2022 2,810 This seems to be a nation wide thing. I'm Canadian and just my other week my current employer pushed an email out stating the same thing. Then, just the other day, my wife's company did the same thing. Man... Glad my new company I'll be working for is fully remote. I absolutely hate commuting... I already work 12 hour days on top of commuting 2 hours. At least it's only 3 days a week and my last day is the Friday after this Friday.  Cess007 Member Oct 27, 2017 15,444 B.C., Mexico CEO Andrew Wilson said that in-person work results in "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for our players." Click to expand... Click to shrink... "I cannot wait to see all this incredible creative pitches and be the first one to ask them "how do you plan to include microtransactions in this?"   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,813 Peru NinjaScooter said: middle and upper management have to look like they are doing something. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah, I only go to the office once a week (didn't actually go this week) and it's only upper management that seems to be going a few days a week. They got time to plan all the boring shit like presentations with dances, sketches and all that crap.   lone_stranger Member Aug 24, 2018 469 I don't view hybrid the same as a "full return to office", but it does suck that people who were exclusively remote won't have the option anymore. I wish I knew how common full-time remote work was for the big publishers. For some reason I thought hybrid was the typical approach already.   Tommy Showbiz Member Jul 20, 2022 3,647 I think it was Jason Schreier who said that Respawn being able to fully coalesce around remote work was a huge part of why that studio had been so successful in recent years. So uh, great job with that EA.   ket Member Jul 27, 2018 15,035 management loves the idea of keeping an eye on their employees even if that's pointless. they love having control.   Twister Member Feb 11, 2019 6,622 Return to office is bullshit. EA employees, resist and do not comply. Any job that can be done at home should be allowed to be done at home, full stop, period. This is a control tactic. Don't let these greedy pieces of shit take away your freedom and happiness. Stop clogging the roads and leave that space for emergency vehicles and people with jobs who cannot be remote. Stop contributing to carbon emissions with thousands of extra cars on the road. Stop building giant office parks that could be used for green spaces or more housing. Resist this bullshit. Make the CEOs sorry they ever even tried.  vixolus Prophet of Truth Member Sep 22, 2020 70,551 Companies doing their best to try and put the toothpaste back in the tube   Freezasaurus Member Oct 25, 2017 58,746 What is it with oldheads and these office mandates? It's not the 1950s anymore, bozos.   Juryvicious Member Oct 28, 2017 8,129 Lirael said: So, mass layoffs incoming then. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The cynic in me agrees, unfortunately, as this was my first thought as well. Most of the employee pro-progress in recent years has evaporated. And EA are not alone, far from it.  JRedCX Member Nov 10, 2020 1,242 Soft layoff...   FrostweaveBandage Unshakable Resolve Member Sep 27, 2019 9,813 Star-Lord said: That fucking sucks, I don't understand how a job can be done for this many years remote / hybrid and they now decide nah Click to expand... Click to shrink... The thing that never made sense to me is how these multinational companies ever operated if they believe everyone being in the same place was critical to business success.   Mauricio_Magus Member Oct 25, 2017 15,772 So they want people to quit, got it.   ghibli99 Member Oct 27, 2017 20,468 What is "offsite local"? Is that the "within 30 miles" group so they can force the hybrid model on them?   TrojanAg Unshakable Resolve Member Oct 25, 2017 4,498 Management loves to act like working on-site will create such an efficient workplace but it's definitely the opposite. Traveling to and from work alone is just a massive waste of time, and you would think that they would've learned their lesson by now. I guess they just have to justify their existence and micromanage/pester you in person.   medinaria Member Oct 30, 2017 2,912 why do people come up with useless bespoke terminology for shit like what is "offsite local", is this the same as remote, or does this mean like "person who works remote but within commute range of an office" if they're aiming to distinguish between "people who we think could work in-person and therefore will be" and "people who can't and therefore don't have to" that's at least not the dumbest thing I've ever seen? it's still pretty dumb but like, "all remote people worldwide must report to their nearest branch" is a bit absurd when you don't have any US offices east of texas lol  nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,956 its funny how these companies could save a ton of money by cutting out middle management and a building and all the bills that come with it but they wont do it.   Vourlis Member Aug 14, 2022 5,814 United States What's the fucking difference if you have 38 office locations worldwide... God forbid people like to work and be equally productive beyond a cubicle. Just give people the option...  Last edited: Today at 6:57 PM Tunesmith Fraud & Player Security Verified Oct 25, 2017 2,195 ASleepingMonkey said: 3 - 24 months is such an absurd window for that one point lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... some locations can accomodate influx of onsite staff sooner than others.   Twister Member Feb 11, 2019 6,622 nsilvias said: its funny how these companies could save a ton of money by cutting out middle management and a building and all the bills that come with it but they wont do it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Eventually they'll have to. This is the old heads clinging to their last grasp of power before offices become a thing of the past. Remote work will be the norm for office jobs within the next 10-15 years   DontHateTheBacon Unshakable Resolve Member Oct 27, 2017 14,411 Soft layoffs huh   skyappl Member Oct 25, 2017 337 As others have noted, this is a layoff without triggering related laws or having to pay unemployment insurance.   Aztechnology Community Resettler Avenger Oct 25, 2017 15,382 nsilvias said: its funny how these companies could save a ton of money by cutting out middle management and a building and all the bills that come with it but they wont do it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Actually they're doing this specifically as a tactic for wage suppression and stuff like that. When you make jobs scarce (layoffs are coming) they get to put downwards pressure on wages etc. All the shit right now including AI is just that. You can't have labor feeling like they have any power  Supreme Leader Galahad ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 27, 2017 2,847 Brazil Wraps for EA if Battlefield fails to deliver.   Duffking Member Oct 27, 2017 6,686 EA announce their intention to be a less enticing workplace than their competitors.   Qikz Member Oct 25, 2017 13,739 NinjaScooter said: middle and upper management have to look like they are doing something. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's also hilarious because until now upper management were working from home all the time and will continue to once they've forced everyone back in the office. They don't want us to have that benefit (us in the general sense) - its 100% fuck you got mine. If someone has proven they can work from home perfectly well then if you force them back into an office you're an asshole imo. If someones doing a bad job working remotely fine, force them back into the office and test them but punishing everyone is shitty.  klauskpm ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 26, 2017 3,836 Brazil This to me is 2 things. As others said, it is to have people do the layoff themselves. And second, it is because it is becoming more and more common, so people have less options to go to. It sucks. And it sucks even more because it is not even about performance or quality. It is about control. If it was about performance and quality, it would be optional. So people who knows they perform better, or prefer to, could go on-site. If only the people who ask others to be professionals would also treat others as adults and professionals.  Ambient Member Dec 23, 2017 9,258 Brace for layoffs   Ensorcell Member Oct 27, 2017 7,405 They almost always pull these back when they see the results and/or they are done with workforce reduction no matter the industry. They won't be honest because they don't want to pay severance. All it does it crater employee engagement and they know it. Slimeballs.   BertChintus Member Dec 18, 2024 261 klauskpm said: This to me is 2 things. As others said, it is to have people do the layoff themselves. And second, it is because it is becoming more and more common, so people have less options to go to. It sucks. And it sucks even more because it is not even about performance or quality. It is about control. If it was about performance and quality, it would be optional. So people who knows they perform better, or prefer to, could go on-site. If only the people who ask others to be professionals would also treat others as adults and professionals. Click to expand... Click to shrink... On some level, it is kinda about performance. Haven't their games been underperforming lately?  Mesoian ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 28, 2017 31,655 Lirael said: So, mass layoffs incoming then. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yup. The bigger joke is that in 12 months they'll open up remote work again because no one wants to move to Redwood City.  BassForever One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 31,607 CT Ensorcell said: They almost always pull these back when they see the results and/or they are done with workforce reduction no matter the industry. They won't be honest because they don't want to pay severance. All it does it crater employee engagement and they know it. Slimeballs. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yep, cause ultimately if a high performing employee is too far away and/or doesn't want to fully commit to working in office, management will look the other way. Mesoian said: Yup. The bigger joke is that in 12 months they'll open up remote work again because no one wants to move to Redwood City. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Or look to outsource work to other countries. Nothing says "in office creativity" like being on a teams call with another team half way around the world.   HockeyBird Member Oct 27, 2017 13,757 Knowing employees are being forced back into the office definitely gives me the urge to spend money in Apex Legends.   TheForsaken Member Jul 24, 2024 420 Very similar to what my tech company did just recently as well.