Respawn Cancels Two In-Development Games, Issues Layoffs – What It Means for the Studio's Future
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2025 7:51 pm
Hey everyone,
Some unexpected news just came out of Respawn Entertainment — the studio behind hits like Apex Legends, Titanfall, and the Star Wars Jedi series. According to recent reports, Respawn has officially canceled two unannounced titles that were in the early stages of development. Alongside this decision, a number of staff members working on those projects have unfortunately been laid off.
While the studio hasn't disclosed many specific details about the canceled games, industry insiders suggest that both projects were still in prototype or concept stages. This likely made it easier from a business standpoint to shut them down early, rather than investing further resources into ideas that might not align with the company's long-term strategy.
The layoffs, although not affecting the entire company, are still a blow to the affected developers and highlight the volatility of the gaming industry — even for high-profile studios under the EA umbrella. Respawn has grown significantly in recent years, with multiple teams working on different projects simultaneously, so this restructuring might be aimed at refocusing efforts on existing franchises or more commercially viable opportunities.
For now, Apex Legends continues to receive support and updates, and there's still interest in future Star Wars Jedi entries. However, fans of Respawn's original IPs, especially Titanfall, may be disappointed if this signals a shift away from experimenting with new concepts.
It’s always tough to see talented people lose their jobs, and I hope everyone impacted lands on their feet quickly. The industry is better for having their creativity in it.
Curious to hear what you all think — is this just a strategic pivot, or a sign of deeper changes at Respawn and EA?
Some unexpected news just came out of Respawn Entertainment — the studio behind hits like Apex Legends, Titanfall, and the Star Wars Jedi series. According to recent reports, Respawn has officially canceled two unannounced titles that were in the early stages of development. Alongside this decision, a number of staff members working on those projects have unfortunately been laid off.
While the studio hasn't disclosed many specific details about the canceled games, industry insiders suggest that both projects were still in prototype or concept stages. This likely made it easier from a business standpoint to shut them down early, rather than investing further resources into ideas that might not align with the company's long-term strategy.
The layoffs, although not affecting the entire company, are still a blow to the affected developers and highlight the volatility of the gaming industry — even for high-profile studios under the EA umbrella. Respawn has grown significantly in recent years, with multiple teams working on different projects simultaneously, so this restructuring might be aimed at refocusing efforts on existing franchises or more commercially viable opportunities.
For now, Apex Legends continues to receive support and updates, and there's still interest in future Star Wars Jedi entries. However, fans of Respawn's original IPs, especially Titanfall, may be disappointed if this signals a shift away from experimenting with new concepts.
It’s always tough to see talented people lose their jobs, and I hope everyone impacted lands on their feet quickly. The industry is better for having their creativity in it.
Curious to hear what you all think — is this just a strategic pivot, or a sign of deeper changes at Respawn and EA?