Respawn Entertainment Hit by Layoffs, ‘Titanfall’ Project Canceled Amid EA Restructuring
In a significant shakeup for the gaming industry, Respawn Entertainment, renowned for its work on Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series, is undergoing a series of adjustments that include layoffs and the cancellation of two early-stage projects.
According to reports, approximately 100 employees at Respawn are affected by the layoffs, part of a broader restructuring at Electronic Arts (EA) that impacts between 200 and 300 staff members overall. The news, initially reported by Bloomberg, sent ripples through the gaming community, raising questions about the future of Respawn and its projects. EA leadership says "These decisions aren’t easy, and we are deeply grateful to every teammate affected – their creativity and contributions have helped build Respawn into what it is today. We’re offering meaningful support to those impacted, including exploring new opportunities within EA."
Among the canceled projects is an extraction shooter set within the Titanfall universe. This title, still in its early stages of development, held significant promise for fans eager to see the return of the beloved franchise. This marks yet another Titanfall project that got the axe at EA following the cancelation of its unannounced Star Wars first-person shooter in 2024, a project that Respawn also had a hand in.
Respawn Entertainment addressed the changes in a statement, emphasizing their commitment to player-first experiences. "Looking ahead, our commitment to player-first experiences remains unchanged," the statement read. "Innovation has always been at the core of Respawn’s identity, and it continues to drive how we build the future – from evolving live experiences to crafting new worlds and stories."
The Redwood City-based video game publisher, valued at $37.7 billion, is implementing these cuts to "more effectively aligns teams and allocates resources in service of driving future growth," according to EA spokesperson Justin Higgs. Severance packages are designed to assist transitioning employees to explore new roles within EA when viable.
This move follows a trend of layoffs within the gaming industry, as highlighted by the Game Developers Conference survey, indicating that one in ten game developers experienced layoffs in the past year due to declining revenues across many corporations. EA itself had layoffs in 2023 and 2024, cutting 6% and 5% of staff, respectively. The cuts to Respawn and EA more broadly continue a brutal trend for gaming’s workforce, which has seen a wave of studio closures and mass layoffs over the past few years.
Some affected EA workers share their experiences on social media. One Bay Area communications worker posted on LinkedIn after being affected by layoffs. The poster noted that they were also affected by layoffs two years prior.
The layoffs at Respawn and the cancellation of the Titanfall project underscore the volatility of the gaming industry and the challenges faced by even the most successful studios. While the changes are undoubtedly difficult for those affected, Respawn remains steadfast in its dedication to delivering innovative and engaging experiences for players.
What are your thoughts on these changes at Respawn and EA? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below!
