Respawn Cancels Multiplayer FPS Project Quietly

Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind Apex Legends, has recently canceled an unannounced incubation project, leading to layoffs of an unspecified number of employees involved in the project. This information was initially brought to light by Insider Gaming, citing a LinkedIn post from a former production coordinator, which has since been removed. The post revealed that the project, on which they had been working for the past year, was canceled, prompting them to seek new employment alongside other talented individuals from the gaming industry.

IGN has independently verified the cancellation of this unannounced project, which was a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS). This project was developed by a team that had previously been working on another canceled Star Wars FPS at Respawn. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, a source familiar with the project described the number as "small." Additionally, at least one individual associated with the project has confirmed on LinkedIn that their exit was voluntary.

This development adds to a series of project cancellations, layoffs, and restructurings at Electronic Arts (EA), which began in 2023 with the elimination of 50 jobs at BioWare and an unknown number at Codemasters. The trend continued nearly a year ago when EA laid off 670 employees across the company and terminated multiple projects, including the aforementioned Star Wars FPS. As part of those layoffs, around two dozen Respawn employees were affected. Since then, EA has restructured BioWare, shifting developers to other internal projects and laying off more key personnel.

IGN has sought comment from Electronic Arts regarding these developments.