# EA Black Box

> video game developing company

**Wikidata**: [Q2373062](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2373062)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA_Black_Box)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ea-black-box

## Summary
EA Black Box was a Canadian video game development company and a subsidiary of Electronic Arts (EA). Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Burnaby, the studio was a prominent organization within the video game industry, best known for its work on the *Need for Speed* franchise before being replaced by EA Vancouver in 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1998
- **Dissolved:** 2013
- **Headquarters:** Burnaby, Canada
- **Parent Organization:** Electronic Arts (EA)
- **Legal Form:** Subsidiary company
- **Industry:** Video game industry
- **Successor:** EA Vancouver
- **Aliases:** Black Box Games, Quicklime Games, EA Blackbox, EA BB

## FAQs
### Q: What games did EA Black Box develop?
A: EA Black Box was the primary developer for the *Need for Speed* series. Additionally, the studio developed several "stuff packs" for *The Sims 3*, including *Fast Lane Stuff*, *Outdoor Living Stuff*, and *Town Life Stuff*.

### Q: When did EA Black Box cease operations?
A: The company was dissolved in 2013. Following its closure, its role and operations were replaced by EA Vancouver.

### Q: Was EA Black Box an independent company?
A: While it was founded as an independent entity in 1998, it operated for much of its history as a subsidiary owned and operated by Electronic Arts.

## Why It Matters
EA Black Box was a significant contributor to the global video game industry during its fifteen years of operation. As a key subsidiary of Electronic Arts, the studio was responsible for maintaining and evolving the *Need for Speed* franchise, one of the most commercially successful racing game series in history. Its presence in Burnaby, Canada, helped establish the region as a major center for software development and digital entertainment. The studio's eventual transition into EA Vancouver reflects the broader consolidation and evolution of internal development teams within major publishers like Electronic Arts. By managing both high-stakes racing titles and popular lifestyle simulation content for *The Sims 3*, EA Black Box demonstrated the technical versatility required to support multi-million dollar intellectual properties.

## Notable For
- **Need for Speed Franchise:** Serving as a primary developer for one of the industry's most recognized racing game series.
- **The Sims 3 Content:** Developing specialized "stuff packs" that expanded the gameplay and customization options of *The Sims 3*.
- **Regional Hub:** Operating as a major Canadian development arm for Electronic Arts for over a decade.
- **Organizational Evolution:** Undergoing several identity shifts, including being known as Black Box Games and Quicklime Games, before its final integration into EA Vancouver.

## Body

### Organizational History
EA Black Box was established in 1998 as Black Box Games. Based in Burnaby, Canada, the studio focused on software development within the video game industry. It was eventually acquired by Electronic Arts (EA), an American company headquartered in Redwood Shores, and operated as a subsidiary under EA's parent organization.

### Key Software Developments
The studio's portfolio was characterized by its work on major Electronic Arts intellectual properties:
*   **Need for Speed:** The studio is factually linked to the production of this long-running racing series.
*   **The Sims 3 Expansion:** The studio developed three specific "stuff packs" for *The Sims 3*:
    *   *Fast Lane Stuff*
    *   *Outdoor Living Stuff*
    *   *Town Life Stuff*

### Dissolution and Legacy
In 2013, EA Black Box was dissolved. Its operations and legacy were absorbed by EA Vancouver, which replaced the studio as the primary EA development presence in the region. During its tenure, the studio utilized various aliases, including EA BB and Quicklime Games, and maintained an official web presence at eablackbox.com.

## Schema Markup
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  "description": "A Canadian video game development company and subsidiary of Electronic Arts, known for developing the Need for Speed series.",
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  "sameAs": [
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  "foundingDate": "1998",
  "dissolutionDate": "2013",
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Burnaby, Canada"
  },
  "alternateName": [
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    "Quicklime Games",
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## References

1. LastDodo
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/EA_Black_Box-R6VRVK)