Happy Leap Day From EA

The Canadian arms of Electronic Arts gave all of its employees the day off today to celebrate the Leap Day. The morale boosting event was meant to give personnel a creative break. Wing Commander Arena, developed by Gaia in New York, was lead from EA Canada near Vancouver.

Today will be a paid holiday for all Canadian employees of Electronic Arts Inc. That includes about 2,000 video game makers in Burnaby, B.C., Vancouver and Montreal. A senior executive said the company wants to inspire employees to take more time for themselves.

"Have fun, hang out with family, hang out with friends, because we don't do it enough and it seemed like a great day to do it," said Rory Armes, vice-president of Electronic Arts Canada.

Armes said company employees were delighted to get a paid day away from the pressures of making leading-edge video games. The next leap year isn't until 2012, but the company is trying to come with a reason to give its employees another day off in 2009.