Star Wars Jedi and Titanfall studio Respawn Leisure has been hit by additional layoffs, and the studio has additionally opted to cancel two of its “early-stage incubation initiatives”.
Per a publish on X, Respawn pronounces its choices to “step away” from the aforementioned initiatives and to “make some focused group changes” to groups engaged on Star Wars Jedi and Apex Legends. The initiatives in query aren’t named, although.
The studio says it is “providing significant assist to these impacted, together with exploring new alternatives inside EA”, and that the selections to cancel the initiatives and lay off the workers members in query “[weren’t] simple”.
Respawn would not say which workers departments have been significantly affected by these layoffs, but it surely does say that the “subsequent chapter” of the Star Wars Jedi sequence will “increase the bar once more for storytelling and gameplay”, in order that’s not one of many canceled initiatives.
The recently-revealed Star Wars Zero Firm, a turn-based techniques sport set within the dying days of the Clone Wars, additionally will not be affected; it is not an early-stage incubation undertaking, in spite of everything, however one which’s been totally unveiled.
Rumors are swirling that a 3rd Titanfall sport is in growth, however these rumors are pretty insubstantial in the mean time, so it is unattainable to say whether or not that was one of many video games Respawn determined to can.
We do, nonetheless, know that this is not the primary time within the final yr or in order that Respawn has been hit by layoffs. In March final yr, it was revealed that EA would lay off 5% of its workforce, and {that a} Star Wars FPS in growth at Respawn can be canceled, with layoffs additionally hitting the studio.
The most recent layoffs at Respawn come as a part of a wave that is nonetheless sweeping the trade, with studios like BioWare, Iron Galaxy, and even Microsoft letting workers go in latest months.
We’ll have to attend and see how these layoffs and undertaking cancellations have an effect on Respawn. Keep tuned for extra on this as quickly as we get it.