Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed a fresh round of job cuts, affecting up to 400 employees, and has once again cancelled a long-rumoured Titanfall game. This move comes as part of a broader restructuring across the gaming industry, where many studios are trimming their workforce and shelving projects due to rising development costs and shifting market dynamics.
Titanfall Fans Disappointed Again
One of the most notable cancellations is a new Titanfall game, internally known as “R7.” The project was reportedly an extraction shooter that would have brought back the beloved mech-and-parkour mechanics the franchise is known for. While EA did not officially name the titles it axed, reports indicate that this long-awaited Titanfall entry was one of two early-stage games cut at Respawn Entertainment.
This isn’t the first time a Titanfall project has been shelved before it could be completed, and fans of the series are once again left frustrated by EA’s decision.
Focus Shifts to Safer Bets
EA appears to be doubling down on franchises that have proven commercial success. Earlier this month, the company announced Star Wars: Zero Company, a tactical game set in the popular sci-fi universe. Respawn, a subsidiary of EA, said it will now focus on its most successful titles, including Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series, which continue to generate strong revenue and player engagement.
More Layoffs Hit Respawn
According to Bloomberg, about 100 of the latest job cuts have come from Respawn itself. In a statement, the studio acknowledged the difficulty of these decisions, thanking its outgoing team members for their contributions. The layoffs are part of EA’s broader cost-cutting effort, which saw over 1,100 job losses in 2023 and a further 5 per cent reduction in staff this year.
As the gaming industry continues to face financial pressure, studios are increasingly choosing stability over innovation, at least for now.