This week, Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment has made the difficult decision to cancel an unannounced incubation project. As a result, an unspecified number of staff members who were part of the project have been laid off. The news was initially reported by Insider Gaming, which referenced a now-deleted LinkedIn post from a former production coordinator. The post stated, "The unannounced incubation project I was a part of for the past year was canceled this week, so I am joining the group of extremely talented and kind people in the games industry searching for a new role."
IGN has independently verified the cancellation of this project, which was a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS). This project was initiated by a team that previously worked on another canceled Star Wars FPS at Respawn. Although the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, sources familiar with the matter have described it as a "small" number. Additionally, at least one individual associated with the project has confirmed on LinkedIn that their exit was voluntary.
This development is part of a broader pattern of project cancellations, layoffs, and restructuring within Electronic Arts (EA). The trend began in 2023 with the elimination of 50 positions at BioWare and an unknown number at Codemasters. Almost exactly a year ago, EA announced the layoff of 670 employees company-wide and the termination of several projects, including the Star Wars FPS at Respawn, affecting around two dozen workers there. Since then, BioWare has undergone further restructuring, with developers being reassigned to other internal projects and additional key personnel being laid off.
IGN has reached out to Electronic Arts for an official statement on these developments.
