Before you start reading please take note that the story has been updated below.

Independently, Black Box Studio was a great studio that produced many great games for one of the industry dominant publishers, EA – which is also a developer. There was a rumor going around that the company had plans to close Black Box Studios because they were having some financial problems.

Now, Black box Studio, responsible for the Need for Speed and the Skate franchises, has officially been given the boot. It was said that the games that EA released this holiday, like Mirrors Edge, Dead Space and Need of Speed, didn’t sell as well as they planned.

“Shutting down the studio is part of EA’s restructuring plan that hopes to save them US$ 120 million in annual costs. Part of the plan is to reduce their overall workforce by 10%, or 1,000 people.” said the press release. There was no word given on if the studios upcoming game Skate 2 has been affected.

[EA has officially closed Need for Speed Studio Black Box via Slice Gaming]

Updated: We had a chance to speak to an EA spokesperson and according to them, “Black box studios is not closed. It is going to relocate to [EA's] Burnaby facility in June 2009.”

As Electronic Arts and Black Box finish work on Skate 2 they will need to stop and think about where their title is going. That is why, the game’s associate producer for environments, Shaun Laker, told MTV how they’re planning to avoid the “Tony Hawk syndrome.”

“As long as we keep putting out great games and don’t rush it out and polish it and make sure we’re listening to the community and hearing what they’re having to say [we will avoid that],” said Laker.

“A big part of it too — and what drove our features this year — is we were finding out how people played the game. We know people play the game to find their own spot and to own it to be able to call it their own. This year, you can go and do that, and in a community, you can share it. That’s how we stay fresh and we don’t go too far; we listen to the community and know what they’re asking for and respond to that.”

We all have dreams, and sometimes they can be a bit crazy, but what is the influence behind the kick and push game Skate 2? In an interview with G4 Patrick Duffy, a pro skater at EA’s Skate 2 event, was asked what “influence did [he] have on Skate 2?” He returned with an answer saying:

“All the skaters, myself included, had some input on what the storyline should be, where we should go, what San Vanelona should look like now, and all that. It all came together pretty awesome, I think, you know what I mean? The whole premise is that the city is dilapidated and skating is outlawed. Most of the skaters are in jail. It’s up to you to come back up and make skating cool again!”

I know the “crazy dreams” thing doesn’t make much sense to you right now, but here’s a better look into it.

The reporter in reaction says, “storyline was taken from crazy dreams you guys had?” Duffy says, “it was a collaboration — a brainstorm that combined everyone’s dream.” Then the reporter returns saying, “the storyline is from a lot of people’s drunken dreams about skateboarding?” And Duffy comes back saying, “Exactly, but it wasn’t just dreams. It was drunken realities too.”

Lets face it when it comes to Skating games Skate, altogether, is the best over all, even the early hands-on reports of Skate 2 it was called better then the last. It’s even keeping Tony Hawk under a rock because he hasn’t shown his head since Project 8. EA has also reported that the game has outsold Tony Hawk 2:1 – more like 3:1 now – in a fisical year report. Anyway, Black Box has finally revealed the official release date for Skate 2.

Black Box, an Electronic Arts announced today that Skate 2, the sequel to the genre-defining original game will hit retailers in North America on January 21st, 2009 and worldwide on January 23rd, 2009 – making it one of the first must-have games of 2009. For those in North America anxious to shred the streets in blaring style can pre-order now for an exclusive code to unlock the Throwback Pack, a special upgrade pack that includes retro clothing, accessories and gestures.

Skate 2 ups the ante in delivering all the grit, creativity and culture of skateboarding with all-new tricks that allow players to truly skate it their way – on and off the board. Skate 2 is developed by Black Box, a studio of Electronic Arts in Vancouver, British Columbia and will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.

[Video Gallery For Skate 2 At TestFreaks]