Electronic Arts’ DICE LA Studio is about to get a new boss to oversee its operations in Vince Zampella.
Vince Zampella, the CEO and founder of Respawn Entertainment will soon be assuming a bigger role at Electronic Arts as the head of the publisher’s DICE Los Angeles studio. According to Zampella, the transition is set to occur in 2020, with re-branding also being on the cards.
The Los Angeles Times has also reported that the developer behind hit titles such as Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order also is planning to expand the studio and “release an original, as-yet-revealed game. Zampella has already stated that while he may be assuming leadership of DICE Los Angeles, this does not mean that it will merge with Respawn Entertainment, but that it will be dropping the DICE branding.
It is presently unknown what DICE Los Angeles’ new name could be. The Los Angeles-based developer was founded six years ago by Swedish game developer DICE as a studio that would primarily provide behind-the-scenes support for various Electronic Arts titles. Most notably, the studio has supported Battlefield 4 and Star Wars: Battlefront II. This means that they have yet to release their own original title.
Prior to its foundation, DICE Los Angeles was formed following the closure of Danger Close Games. Danger Close Games was best known for developing the Medal of Honor franchise and was previously referred to as EA Los Angeles.
“We want to give it a new image. We want people to say, ‘This is a destination you can go and make new content.’ I think they’ve kind of gotten the branding that they are the support studio for DICE Stockholm. I think rebranding is important for showing people, ‘Hey! Come work here. We’re going to do some amazing things.’” Zampella said of the rebranding.
What this could mean for Zampella’s status at Respawn remains to be seen, but for now he is still the head of the studio. Presently, Respawn Entertainment has been overseen by different members of a leadership team that manage the studio’s various branches.
What do you think of this name? Is Zampella right for the job? Let us know in the comments below!
