I agree with the sentiment, but the Zero Company studio, Bit Reactor, was founded by former Firaxis devs getting together and making their own company. EA is their publisher and does not own Bit Reactor.

The decision to furlough was Bit Reactor’s:

A Bit Reactor spokesperson told Game File that the decision to furlough the staff was solely Bit Reactor’s, not an edict from Zero Company publishers EA…

Because they ran out of money:

The report alleges that Bit Reactor ran low on money just ahead of releasing Zero Company…