Electronic Arts is forging ahead with its transition to the online and digital space.

The result, says communications director Colin Macrae, is a continuing shift in the kinds of gaming experiences that are being created at EA Canada in Burnaby.

“As a location, we’re still the home of big franchises like FIFA,” Macrae told me on phone, “but we’re also at the forefront of the digital transformation.”

That transition has resulted in a “small” number of layoffs, but at the same time, Macrae said that many employees are moving to other projects that are part of the digital realm. And the studio has more than 70 job openings at the moment.

“The skill set required of employees is very different than it used to be,” said Macrae.

Macrae said the studio was too “console-centric” a few years ago. Now it is more focused on moving some of the EA’s valuable franchises to new platforms and business models, such as the free-to-play versions of FIFA and Need for Speed and the FIFA Facebook game, FIFA Superstars.

Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight