Respawn Has Quietly Canceled a Multiplayer FPS Incubation Project

Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind Apex Legends, has recently canceled an unannounced incubation project, leading to the layoff of an unspecified number of employees involved in the project. This development was initially reported by Insider Gaming, citing a now-deleted LinkedIn post from a former production coordinator who mentioned, "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 unannounced project, which was a multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS). This project was developed by a team that previously worked on a Star Wars FPS at Respawn, which was canceled in the previous year. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, a source familiar with the project described it as "small." Additionally, at least one individual associated with the project has stated on LinkedIn that their departure was voluntary.

This cancellation is part of a broader trend of project terminations, layoffs, and restructuring within Electronic Arts (EA), which began in 2023. That year saw the elimination of 50 jobs at BioWare and an unknown number at Codemasters. The trend continued almost a year later with EA laying off 670 employees across the company and canceling multiple projects, including the Star Wars FPS. As a result of these cuts, approximately two dozen Respawn employees were let go. Since then, EA has restructured BioWare, reassigning developers to other internal projects and laying off an additional unspecified number of key staff members.

IGN has reached out to Electronic Arts for further comment on these developments.