EA Cuts 5% of Workforce, Scraps Respawn's Secret Star Wars Shooter

Electronic Arts (EA) is undergoing major organizational changes, including laying off 5% of its staff, approximately 670 employees, as it begins a shift away from licensed IPs toward a stronger focus on its core franchises and owned IPs. These changes involve the closure of the Seattle-based Ridgeline Games studio, sunsetting four mobile games, and a pivot in their projects, most notably the cancellation of Respawn Entertainment's unannounced Star Wars first-person shooter. This strategic move is aimed at amplifying their success in owned IP, sports titles, and massive online communities.

As part of this corporate restructuring, EA has emphasized its commitment to helping affected team members find new roles within the company or supporting them with respect and care during their transition. Despite the cuts and cancellations, EA has confirmed that its Marvel projects, such as the upcoming Iron Man and Black Panther games, are not impacted by the changes. Additionally, while pushing some mobile games out of their portfolio, EA remains optimistic about the potential of the mobile gaming platform.

These layoffs fit into a broader pattern of job cuts and studio closures seen across the gaming industry, following similar actions by PlayStation, Supermassive Games, Microsoft, and others. This trend reflects the volatile nature of the industry, compounded by economic challenges and shifts in gaming trends and technology.

The decision by EA to move away from the development of licensed IPs suggests the company is looking to streamline its operations and focus on projects with the highest potential for success. This strategy could potentially lead to a stronger portfolio of proprietary franchises and more innovative, original content. However, it also means fans of EA's licensed games, like Star Wars titles, may see fewer releases in the future. The shift also indicates an industry-wide trend where larger gaming companies are reassessing their portfolios to maximize profitability and adapt to a rapidly evolving market.

Baldur's Gate 3, one of the games mentioned in the article, is a role-playing game developed and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main game in the Baldur's Gate series and is based on the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing system. Set for an official release, this game has been highly anticipated by fans of the RPG genre and is recognized for its deep narrative, strategic combat, and expansive player freedom.