Thereโs a disturbance in the Forceโand itโs not just another Death Star blowing up. Electronic Arts has quietly swung its corporate lightsaber and laid off around 100 developers at Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved Star Wars Jedi series. Yes, that includes some of the folks working on Star Wars Jedi 3, the next chapter in the saga of Cal Kestis, Force-sensitive poncho connoisseur.
And no, this isnโt just another business-as-usual reshuffle. Itโs part of a wider EA maneuver that has seen hundreds of jobs slashed across multiple departments. While the droids youโre looking for are still safe (for now), some serious behind-the-scenes shakeups have fans of Star Wars gamesโand those keeping an eye on the industryโwondering: whatโs next?
EAโs Layoff Spree Hits Respawn Right in the Core
According to multiple sources, EA recently trimmed its workforce by approximately 670 positions, with 100 of those cuts coming from Respawn Entertainment. Among the casualties? Developers working on Apex Legends, some early-stage incubation projects, and most notably, members of the Star Wars Jedi 3 team.
While EA didnโt exactly send a hologram message to announce this, their statement did include an upbeat note about their continued commitment to โbuilding new storiesโ in the Star Wars Jedi universe. Because nothing says “weโre still committed” quite like escorting a sizable chunk of your development team out the metaphorical airlock.
What About Star Wars Jedi 3? Is It Still Happening?
Hereโs the silver lining: Star Wars Jedi 3 is still very much in development. EA has confirmed that the next entry in the series is underway and is intended to โraise the bar again for storytelling and gameplay.โ
In other words, Cal Kestis hasnโt been retired to a peaceful farm on Naboo just yet. Despite the layoffs, the studio is still moving forward with the titleโthough now with a leaner crew and perhaps a few more stormtroopers walking the halls looking worried.
Whatโs not yet clear is how this shift will impact the timeline. With fewer hands on deck, production could slow down. Donโt be surprised if that release window stretches out further than a hyperspace jump gone wrong.
Goodbye to the โR7โ TitanfallโStar Wars Mashup
Along with the layoffs came news of a canceled project known internally as โR7,โ rumored to be a Titanfall-style extraction shooter set in the Star Wars universe. For those imagining wall-running stormtroopers and grappling hook-wielding bounty huntersโsorry, this oneโs not happening.
Itโs a shame, really. The Titanfall DNA combined with a galaxy far, far away had serious potential to be the surprise hit nobody saw coming. Instead, itโs been shelved, joining other ambitious Star Wars ideas in the great creative void where the Boba Fett movie and Amy Hennigโs Project Ragtag still reside.
Respawnโs New Direction: Focus on Core Franchises
The layoffs arenโt just about streamlining; theyโre about strategy. EA wants Respawn to double down on its most successful propertiesโnamely Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. Incubation projects and riskier experimental titles? Not so much.
Daniel Suarez, formerly Respawnโs SVP of Operations, is stepping into a more prominent role as the new General Manager, while Vince Zampella maintains his galactic overlord status, overseeing both Respawn and the Battlefield franchise. Itโs a leadership shuffle aimed at keeping the studioโs core focus laser-sharp.
Star Wars Jedi 3: What to Expect Moving Forward
Even though the development team has been thinned out, the third installment in the Jedi series is still positioned to be a major release. With the previous titlesโJedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivorโearning critical acclaim and commercial success, EA has every reason to finish the trilogy strong.
We can likely expect a continued evolution of the lightsaber combat system, more cinematic storytelling, and hopefully fewer performance issues on launch day (looking at you, Survivorโs PC release). The pressure is definitely on to deliver a satisfying conclusion to Calโs journeyโor at least a new arc that doesnโt end with another cliffhanger.
A Galaxy of Games Still in Play
Respawn isnโt completely retreating from the Star Wars battlefield. Theyโre still partnering with Bit Reactor on Star Wars: Zero Company, a turn-based strategy game slated for 2026. That project remains untouched by the layoffs and continues development at lightspeed.
So while Respawn may be navigating through some turbulence, the ship hasnโt completely lost power. The Star Wars Jedi universe lives on, even if its crew just got a little smaller.
Final Thoughts: The Force Is Shaky, But Not Gone
Layoffs are always a rough reality, and itโs never great to hear that the developers who bring our favorite games to life are being let go. But for those whoโve been following the Star Wars Jedi series closely, thereโs still reason to hope. The next chapter is still coming. Cal Kestis still has a story to tell. And EA, for all its corporate maneuvering, is still betting big on the galaxy far, far away.
Will this leaner team at Respawn manage to pull off another classic? That remains to be seen. But if the past two games are anything to go by, theyโve already proven that the Force is strong with themโeven if their numbers are now a bit closer to a Jedi Order post-Order 66.
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