RESPAWN Suffers 23 Layoffs in Ongoing EA Cuts, Apex Legends Affected

Recent layoffs at Respawn Entertainment have hit the gaming community as it's confirmed that around two dozen of the studio's employees have been affected by company-wide reductions at Electronic Arts (EA). Apex Legends, the battle royale shooter, is notably one of the games impacted despite its success since its 2019 release. The layoffs are part of an approximate 5% cut at EA, which equates to roughly 670 employees. This comes as EA refocuses its strategy away from licensed IPs to its proprietary franchises. However, sources reassure that Apex Legends remains a high priority for future investment at EA.

These layoffs also included EA shelving a Star Wars FPS centered around a Mandalorian character and the closure of Ridgeline Games. EA has been undergoing a significant restructuring that began in 2023, which also involved separating its business into EA Sports and EA Entertainment. The gaming industry has seen a wave of layoffs across major companies, shedding light on the personal and professional toll these job losses have taken on workers, with disabled employees reportedly being hit harder.

Why are layoffs happening at major game companies like EA?

The industry is facing economic pressures and a shift in strategic focuses, leading companies to restructure and cut costs. EA is concentrating on its core franchises and phasing out some of its licensed IPs, resulting in workforce reductions despite the continued success of certain games like Apex Legends.

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale game, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by EA. Since its surprise launch in February 2019, it has become a cornerstone in the battle royale genre and a major success as a live service game, drawing millions of players with its fast-paced gameplay, evolving storylines, and engaging character roster. Apex Legends has pushed its genre forward with unique mechanics like 'legends' with special abilities, creating a dynamic and squad-based experience that stands out in a crowded market. Despite business decisions that have affected its developmental team, the game continues to be deemed a significant asset, with reassurances from the parent company about its ongoing development and support.