DICE LA‘s transition from a support studio to a full-fledged developer is complete, and to celebrate, its new name has been unveiled. DICE LA is now Ripple Effect Studios. The studio has been expanding since Respawn Entertainment co-founder Vince Zampella took over as head of DICE LA last year. Zampella will continue heading the studio group as general manager, while Christian Grass will be GM of Ripple Effect Studios.
Why did DICE LA change names?
According to IGN, the name change from DICE LA to Ripple Effect is to distinguish the studio from the DICE name. It signifies that it’s no longer just a support studio and will be working on its own original titles.
However, this isn’t the first rebrand the studio has seen. It can trace its roots back to DreamWorks Interactive, a collaboration between DreamWorks and Microsoft that was in business from 1995-2000. In 2000, Electronic Arts purchased DreamWorks Interactive and renamed it EA Los Angeles. This studio would continue until 2010 when it was again renamed, this time to Danger Close Games, and assigned to work on the Medal of Honor series. Unfortunately, the reboot series didn’t meet expectations, and Danger Close folded, and its core staff was reassigned to form DICE LA.
Fortunately, this name change comes as a result of the studio’s successes. Ripple Effect is currently working on a yet-to-be-revealed mode for the upcoming Battlefield 2042 and an unannounced original title. As part of the new moniker, Ripple Effect Studios will be growing out its social media presence and sharing its unique culture with the world.
Zampella stated: “We want to give it a new image. We want people to say, ‘This is a destination you can go and make new content.”
Perhaps we’ll get a chance to see some of what Ripple Effect is cooking up during EA Play 2021 on July 22, 2021.
