When EA confirmed the future of Guildford-based studio Bright Light was under review last October, corporate communications exec Tiffany Steckler claimed the publisher was looking to retain as much talent as possible.

Now, with sources close to the outfit suggesting operations were wound down before the end of 2011, it's being reported fellow EA studios Criterion and Playfish mopped up much of the workforce.

Lights out

The full extent of job losses is unknown – Develop reports former GM Harvey Elliot is the only confirmed departure – but, true to Steckler's word, most of the workforce appears to have been split between both Criterion and Playfish.

 

Others have reportedly branched out to join either fellow Guildford outfit Supermassive Games or browser-based specialist Jagex.

Originally set up as a casual division within EA's main UK studio, Bright Light earned its stripes in a portable sense by working on Harry Potter releases for DS, although it also worked on its own IP in the shape of the Pokemon-esque Zubo.

Eventually, the part of EA UK that wasn't Criterion was also folded into the brand, with Bright Light effectively being EA UK. 

[source: Develop]