PlayStation's Studio System Architect Joins EA

Veteran gaming executive Connie Booth, who significantly contributed to the development of Sony's first-party titles for over 30 years, has joined Electronic Arts (EA) as the Group General Manager for Action RPGs. At EA, Booth will oversee studios such as EA Motive, working on a new Iron Man game; Cliffhanger, developing a Black Panther title; and BioWare, known for Dragon Age and Mass Effect. Reporting directly to Laura Miele, EA Entertainment head, Booth aims to inject her developer-first culture and successful large-scale single-player game approach into EA's strategy. This move comes as EA focuses on its blockbuster storytelling and franchises while undergoing a restructure that has, unfortunately, led to layoffs and the shutdown of some operations, such as Ridgeline Games and a canceled Star Wars FPS by Respawn.

What role will Connie Booth play at Electronic Arts and how might her experience impact the company's future projects?

Connie Booth's role as Group General Manager for Action RPGs at Electronic Arts will involve leading and nurturing the creative processes of several EA studios, including those developing upcoming titles like Iron Man and the new Black Panther game. Given her extensive background in steering successful franchises at Sony, her influence is expected to help EA build upon its storytelling ventures, create a supportive culture for developers, and hopefully lead to the revival and success of future projects like Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.

Connie Booth's employment history reflects a successful tenure at Sony, where she played a key role in the production of major franchises such as Marvel's Spider-Man, The Last of Us, and Uncharted. Her departure from Sony was sudden and unexplained, making her move to Electronic Arts significant, as it signals a potential shift in EA's development and strategic direction towards more narrative-driven, single-player experiences—a domain where she has proven expertise. Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, a title mentioned as part of her portfolio, is the next installment in BioWare's acclaimed Dragon Age series, following the mixed reception of Dragon Age: Inquisition and Dragon Age II. With Booth's guidance, EA and its studios might replicate some of Sony's success, particularly in terms of narratives and relationships with developers and players alike.