Electronic Arts (EA) revealed a company-wide reorganization that includes the cancellation of Respawn's Star Wars first-person shooter (FPS) currently in development. Approximately 670 employees, constituting 5% of EA's workforce, are set to lose their jobs as part of this restructuring.
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The Decision and Future Focus
EA Entertainment president Laura Miele clarified the decision in a note to staff, emphasizing that the cancellation is not a reflection of the team's capabilities but rather aligns with EA's focus on its own owned brands and existing games. Miele acknowledged the difficulty of abandoning a project but stated, "Giving fans the next installments of the iconic franchises they want is the definition of blockbuster storytelling and the right place to focus."
Details about the canceled Star Wars FPS remain scarce, with only rumors suggesting a Mandalorian protagonist. The fate of EA's Star Wars strategy game is also uncertain. The company attributes the decision to the industry's perceived shift towards large open-world games, massive communities, and live service games.
The Ongoing Restructuring
The reshaping of EA extends beyond the cancellation of the Star Wars FPS. The Battlefield teams will undergo restructuring following the departure of Marcus Lehto, with the sunsetting of Ridgeline Games. Developers from Ridgeline Games will integrate into Ripple Effect, and Criterion's Danny Isaac and Darren White will oversee single-player work on the series.
Furthermore, several mobile games, including F1 Mobile Racing, MLB Tap Sports, Kim Kardashian Hollywood, and The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, will be discontinued. Laura Miele acknowledged the human impact of these decisions, recognizing the challenges of change and disruption within the company.
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