Key Takeaways
1. Marcus Lehto expressed dissatisfaction over insufficient credits for key contributors from Ridgeline Games in the launch of Battlefield 6.
2. Several team members, including software engineers and artists, were either omitted or minimally acknowledged despite their significant contributions.
3. Lehto shared a customized image to represent how he believed the credits should have appeared, emphasizing the importance of recognizing all contributors in game development.
4. Ridgeline Games was created by EA in 2021 but was closed shortly after Lehto’s departure in February 2024, leading to significant layoffs.
5. Lehto voiced strong disappointment regarding EA and the closure of Ridgeline Games, reflecting on the challenges faced in the industry.
The co-creator of the Halo series and past art director for the original games at Bungie, Marcus Lehto, has openly shared his dissatisfaction regarding the insufficient credits given to him and several colleagues from the now-closed Ridgeline Games in the recent launch of Battlefield 6.
Missing Acknowledgments
In a LinkedIn update dated October 20, Lehto expressed that many team members who were crucial in the game’s early development were either left out entirely or only mentioned in a brief “Special Thanks” section at the end, despite their significant contributions to establishing the game’s groundwork.
Lehto conveyed his disappointment in his post, saying, “I’m disappointed to see that many of my former teammates from Ridgeline Games were not properly credited in the recent release of Battlefield 6.”
A List of Contributors
Initially, he highlighted that five names were missing from the credits, which included software engineers Jessica Moore and Dan Carr, lead tech artist Rohan Knuckey, and lead character artist Andres Naranjo. However, he later amended his statement, clarifying that three of these individuals had actually been credited in other areas of the game.
In an effort to acknowledge their work, Lehto shared a personalized image that included numerous names and roles across various fields such as cinematics, design, art, animation, engineering, and production. He presented this as a representation of how he thought the credits should have appeared in Battlefield 6. He wrapped up his post with the remark, “Game development is a team effort, and every contributor deserves fair acknowledgment.”
The Rise and Fall of Ridgeline Games
EA created Ridgeline Games in Seattle in October 2021, with Lehto appointed as game director to oversee the studio’s FPS projects, particularly the campaign for the upcoming Battlefield title.
The studio started recruiting developers in July 2022, working alongside Ripple Effect, which was previously known as DICE LA, to develop the storyline for what would eventually become Battlefield 6. Lehto decided to leave EA voluntarily in February 2024, expressing a desire to take a break from the industry to reflect on his future.
Just a week following his departure, EA closed Ridgeline Games as part of a larger restructuring effort, resulting in the layoff of around 670 employees and a shift away from future licensed IPs. Some staff were reassigned to Ripple Effect to continue their work on Battlefield 6’s multiplayer aspect.
At that time, Lehto remarked that he was “incredibly upset and very sad” about the studio’s closure and the layoffs, adding that he had “nothing positive to say about EA” after leaving.
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