There’s a disturbance in the Force—and it’s 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 isn’t just another business-as-usual reshuffle. It’s part of a wider EA maneuver that has seen hundreds of jobs slashed across multiple departments. While the droids you’re looking for are still safe (for now), some serious behind-the-scenes shakeups have fans of Star Wars games—and those keeping an eye on the industry—wondering: what’s next?
EA’s 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 didn’t exactly send a hologram message to announce this, their statement did include an upbeat note about their continued commitment to “building new stories” in the Star Wars Jedi universe. Because nothing says “we’re 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?
Here’s 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 “raise the bar again for storytelling and gameplay.”
In other words, Cal Kestis hasn’t been retired to a peaceful farm on Naboo just yet. Despite the layoffs, the studio is still moving forward with the title—though now with a leaner crew and perhaps a few more stormtroopers walking the halls looking worried.
What’s not yet clear is how this shift will impact the timeline. With fewer hands on deck, production could slow down. Don’t be surprised if that release window stretches out further than a hyperspace jump gone wrong.
Goodbye to the “R7” Titanfall–Star Wars Mashup
Along with the layoffs came news of a canceled project known internally as “R7,” 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 hunters—sorry, this one’s not happening.
It’s 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, it’s been shelved, joining other ambitious Star Wars ideas in the great creative void where the Boba Fett movie and Amy Hennig’s Project Ragtag still reside.
Respawn’s New Direction: Focus on Core Franchises
The layoffs aren’t just about streamlining; they’re about strategy. EA wants Respawn to double down on its most successful properties—namely Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. Incubation projects and riskier experimental titles? Not so much.
Daniel Suarez, formerly Respawn’s 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. It’s a leadership shuffle aimed at keeping the studio’s 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 titles—Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor—earning 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, Survivor’s PC release). The pressure is definitely on to deliver a satisfying conclusion to Cal’s journey—or at least a new arc that doesn’t end with another cliffhanger.
A Galaxy of Games Still in Play
Respawn isn’t completely retreating from the Star Wars battlefield. They’re 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 hasn’t 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 it’s never great to hear that the developers who bring our favorite games to life are being let go. But for those who’ve been following the Star Wars Jedi series closely, there’s 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, they’ve already proven that the Force is strong with them—even if their numbers are now a bit closer to a Jedi Order post-Order 66.
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