Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind Apex Legends, has canceled an unannounced incubation project this week, resulting in the layoff of an unspecified number of employees involved in the project. The news initially surfaced through a now-deleted LinkedIn post from a former production coordinator, who mentioned joining the ranks of those seeking new roles in the gaming industry after the project's cancellation.
IGN has independently verified the cancellation of this unannounced project, which was a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS). This project was initiated by a team previously working on a now-canceled Star Wars FPS at Respawn. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, sources describe it as a "small" number. Additionally, at least one individual associated with the project has confirmed on LinkedIn that their departure was voluntary.
This development is part of a broader trend of project cancellations, layoffs, and restructuring within Electronic Arts (EA). The trend began in 2023 with the elimination of 50 jobs at BioWare and an unspecified number at Codemasters. Almost a year ago, EA laid off 670 employees across the company and terminated several projects, including the Star Wars FPS, affecting around two dozen Respawn employees. Since then, BioWare has undergone restructuring, with developers being reassigned to other projects and additional layoffs occurring.
IGN has reached out to Electronic Arts for further comment on these developments.
