On April 30 at 6 p.m., Respawn quietly dropped a tweet that, for many long-time fans, immediately felt ominous. These types of messages from Respawn have historically preceded major shutdowns, and unfortunately, this time was no different.
What started as a vague, emotional statement quickly unfolded into something much bigger. This post was more than just words. It was the preface to the cancellation of multiple projects, layoffs at Respawn, and the confirmed end of a Titanfall title that was still in early development.
TL;DR: Respawn Layoffs, Cancelled Projects, and Apex’s Future
- EA has laid off 400 employees, with 100 from Respawn alone.
- Two early Respawn projects were cancelled, including a Titanfall extraction shooter codenamed R7.
- Sparrow’s writer was laid off before the legend even launched in Apex Legends.
- This is not Titanfall 3, but a new game in the Titanfall universe that will now never release.
- Apex Legends is still a priority and will receive future investment.
- Respawn says they are focusing on “bold experiences” within Apex and Star Wars moving forward.
Timeline: Respawn Layoffs and Project Shutdowns
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2025 | Respawn posts a vague, emotional statement on Twitter. |
| Later that day | Reports confirm 400 EA layoffs, including 100 at Respawn. |
| Same evening | Leaks reveal the cancellation of two projects, including a Titanfall-based extraction shooter (codename R7). |
| Following hours | Fans confirm that the Sparrow writer was laid off before launch. |
| May 1 and beyond | Respawn promises Apex-focused development and “bold experiences” for the future. |
📉 Respawn Shuts Down Projects and Lays Off Staff
In the official statement, Respawn wrote that they are stepping away from two early-stage incubation projects and making targeted team adjustments across both Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi teams.
Later that day, the full picture came into focus. EA reportedly laid off 400 employees, with 100 of those cuts hitting Respawn directly. These included team members from unannounced games and even the Apex Legends development crew.
One of the most painfuldetails was that Sparrow’s writer was laid off before the character they wrote even made it into the game. That is a level of disconnect that hit hard across the community.
🕹️ Titanfall Extraction Shooter Cancelled
Among the two projects Respawn quietly cancelled was something a lot of people hoped would return: a Titanfall game. This was not Titanfall 3, but it was still something new. The internal codename for this project was R7, believed to stand for Respawn’s seventh major game.
The game was reportedly a Titanfall extraction shooter, similar in structure to titles like Tarkov, Arc Raiders, or Marathon. The idea would have allowed Players to scavenge through fallen Titan battlefields, loot gear, and survive in an evolving world.
Unfortunately, Respawn determined that this game was not worth the continued investment. It was shut down before it got close to being finished.
❌ This Isn’t the First Titanfall Cancellation
This marks yet another Titanfall project that has failed to make it to launch. Fans of the franchise are once again left with nothing, and with Respawn’s current direction focusing on live service titles like Apex and known franchises like Star Wars, the odds of seeing another Titanfall entry anytime soon are extremely low.
For many, it now feels like the franchise is either cursed or completely shelved. At this point, we are likely five to seven years away from even hearing about another potential Titanfall game.
💸 Why EA and Respawn Made These Cuts
EA has had a rough year financially. Several releases have underperformed, including Apex Legends. While still successful, the game has not consistently met revenue targets, which likely influenced the decision to refocus on safe bets.
This move looks like EA locking in on their core franchises. That includes Apex, Battlefield, and Star Wars. Anything that didn’t guarantee a return on investment was dropped, and the team was cut to match.
From a business point of view, this is a realignment to protect what’s profitable. From a player perspective, it’s devastating to lose what could have been one of the coolest spin-offs in the Titanfall universe.
🧠 Apex’s Future is Still a Priority
Despite the sad news, Respawn made it clear that Apex Legends is still a major part of their strategy. They mentioned that they are investing in “bold experiences that push the boundaries of competitive play” and expanding what Apex can be.
That could mean new game modes, spin-offs, or possibly even another campaign-style experience within the Apex universe. It is still too early to know if these promises will pay off, but it is at least a sign that Respawn is looking forward.
📝 Final Thoughts
The cancellation of the Titanfall extraction shooter is a massive loss. Not just for fans of the franchise, but also for players who were hoping Respawn would branch out creatively.
Seeing talented developers lose their jobs makes it all worse. Some of them were working on characters and systems we were only just beginning to hear about.
As for what comes next, Respawn still has big plans for Apex. Season 25 is looking strong, and with the studio’s full focus shifting back to its core titles, the future of the game could hold something special.
For more updates on Apex Legends, behind-the-scenes news, and season Leaks, keep checking in with ALegends.gg.
Source: Grrt on YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions about Respawn Layoffs and Cancelled Projects
How many people were laid off from Respawn?
According to reports, 100 employees from Respawn were laid off as part of a larger round of 400 layoffs across EA.
What projects did Respawn cancel?
Respawn cancelled two early-stage incubation projects. One of them was a Titanfall-based extraction shooter codenamed R7.
Was Titanfall 3 cancelled?
No. The cancelled game was not Titanfall 3 but a separate extraction-style game set in the Titanfall universe.
Was anyone on the Apex Legends team affected?
Yes. Several Apex developers were laid off, including the writer responsible for the upcoming legend Sparrow.
Is Respawn still supporting Apex Legends?
Yes. Respawn confirmed that Apex Legends will continue to receive investment and development as one of their core franchises.
Why did EA lay off Respawn employees?
The layoffs appear to be part of EA’s effort to cut costs and focus on proven franchises like Apex, Battlefield, and Star Wars.
