Respawn Has Quietly Canceled a Multiplayer FPS Incubation Project

Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment has canceled an unannounced incubation project this week, resulting in layoffs of an unspecified number of staff members involved in the project. This information was initially reported by Insider Gaming, citing a now-deleted LinkedIn post from a former production coordinator, who shared their experience of being part of the project for the past year and now seeking new opportunities in the gaming industry.

IGN independently confirmed the cancellation of this unannounced incubation project, which was a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS). The project was initiated by a team previously working on another canceled Star Wars FPS at Respawn. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, sources have described it as "small." Additionally, at least one person associated with the project has stated on LinkedIn that their exit was voluntary.

This development adds to a series of project cancellations, layoffs, and restructurings within Electronic Arts (EA), which began in 2023. That year saw the elimination of 50 jobs at BioWare and an unspecified number at Codemasters. The trend continued nearly a year later with EA laying off 670 employees across the company and terminating several projects, including the Star Wars FPS. As a result of these cuts, approximately two dozen Respawn employees were also let go. Following these layoffs, EA restructured BioWare, reassigning developers to other internal projects and laying off more key personnel.

IGN has reached out to Electronic Arts for a statement on these recent developments.