Respawn Entertainment Cancels Two Early-Stage Games Amid EA Layoffs

In a surprising turn of events, Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi, has announced the cancellation of two early-stage incubation projects. This decision comes as part of a broader restructuring within Electronic Arts (EA), which has reportedly laid off between 300 and 400 employees, including around 100 staff members at Respawn Entertainment.

The Cancelled Projects: What We Know

According to a Bloomberg report, one of the cancelled projects, codenamed R7, was an extraction shooter set in the Titanfall universe. The second project, a multiplayer first-person shooter, was reportedly scrapped earlier this year. While details remain scarce, the cancellation of R7 has dashed hopes for a new Titanfall-related game, further cementing the franchise’s uncertain future.

Respawn Entertainment addressed the cancellations in a statement, saying:
“As we sharpen our focus for the future, we’ve made the decision to step away from two early-stage incubation projects and make some targeted team adjustments across Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi.”

EA has framed these layoffs and cancellations as part of a long-term strategic realignment. A spokesperson for the company stated that the changes were made to “more effectively align teams and allocate resources in service of driving future growth.” However, industry insiders suggest that underwhelming performances from titles like EA Sports FC and Apex Legends may have contributed to the restructuring.

Despite the cancellations, Respawn remains committed to its existing franchises. The studio emphasized that Apex Legends will continue to expand, and the next installment in the Star Wars Jedi series aims to “raise the bar again for storytelling and gameplay.”

What’s Next for Respawn?

While Respawn has reassured fans that its “commitment to player-first experiences remains unchanged,” the cancellation of R7 and the multiplayer FPS raises concerns about the studio’s future direction. With EA making significant cuts across multiple departments, including customer support and marketing, the gaming industry is left wondering how these changes will impact upcoming projects.

For now, Titanfall fans will have to wait and see whether Respawn will ever revisit the beloved franchise. As EA continues to restructure, the fate of future Respawn titles remains uncertain.

What do you think about these cancellations? Are you disappointed about the Titanfall project being scrapped? Let’s discuss in the comments!