Marcus Lehto Calls Out EA for Erasing Ridgeline Games from Battlefield 6 Credits

Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has voiced deep disappointment over what he sees as a lack of recognition for the developers who helped build the narrative backbone of Battlefield 6.

In a candid LinkedIn post, Lehto criticized publisher EA for failing to properly credit the now-defunct Ridgeline Games, the studio he co-founded to bring a single-player vision back to the Battlefield franchise. Despite the studio laying what Lehto called the “foundation” of the game, many of its former team members were relegated to a token mention – or not listed at all – when the final credits rolled.

Ridgeline Games was formed under EA’s umbrella in 2022, with Lehto at the helm, to craft a narrative-driven Battlefield experience following backlash over Battlefield 2042’s lack of campaign content. However, the studio’s story was short-lived. In February 2024, less than two years later, EA shuttered Ridgeline as part of a sweeping internal restructuring that saw nearly 700 employees laid off. The company promised at the time that work on the single-player portion of Battlefield would continue under other studios.

Fast forward to 2025: Battlefield 6 launched to massive commercial success, with record-breaking sales and praise for its chaotic multiplayer warfare. But its campaign – originally incubated at Ridgeline – was met with mixed reviews. Lehto’s remarks came shortly after release, as he publicly acknowledged his team’s hard work and lamented how so many of their names were either buried in a distant “Special Thanks” section or missing entirely, including his own. “These talented developers worked tirelessly for 1 to 2.5 years, building the foundation of the game,” Lehto wrote. “Out of respect for my colleagues and the awesome work they poured into this project, I want to take a moment to properly recognize them.”

When Ridgeline closed, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele reassured staff that leadership from Criterion – specifically Danny Isaac and Darren White – would oversee the remaining narrative work. Some Ridgeline members were reportedly folded into Ripple Effect Studios to continue contributing to Battlefield’s evolution. Eventually, EA consolidated its Battlefield ecosystem into a four-pronged collective called Battlefield Studios, bringing together DICE, Ripple Effect, Motive, and Criterion.

Lehto, who previously served as creative director on Halo: Reach, joined EA to restore creative identity and storytelling depth to the series. But his vision was cut short before he could see it through. His frustration reflects a long-standing issue in the games industry – credit disputes. Developers frequently complain about being erased from end credits after layoffs or studio closures, despite having made substantial contributions. For many, credits aren’t just vanity – they’re vital proof of experience for future employment in a fiercely competitive industry.

The irony is that while Battlefield 6 dominates multiplayer charts, its campaign received lukewarm reviews, including a 5/10 from IGN, which described it as “a safe, dull reimagining” rather than a bold reinvention. Some players disagreed, calling the campaign more grounded and realistic than critics claimed, though lacking the emotional punch of Call of Duty’s cinematic flair. Others wondered how much stronger the final product might have been had Ridgeline remained intact to finish their work. Whether EA’s handling of the studio’s closure and credits controversy will tarnish Battlefield’s legacy remains to be seen – but Lehto’s comments have reignited a long-overdue conversation about fairness, recognition, and respect in the gaming industry.