The move is so \u201cgreater focus\u201d can be put on the studio\u2019s original IPs, sports games and online communities, according to EA (via Variety<\/a>).<\/p>\n A first-person shooter being developed by Respawn<\/strong> \u2013 the same studio that made Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in 2019 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor in 2023 \u2013 has officially been cancelled by EA.<\/p>\n It was rumoured (according to Insider Gaming)<\/a> that the Star Wars game have would been based on The Mandalorian<\/a>, and would be a linear level-style adventure across different planets in the galaxy.<\/p>\n EA Entertainment president Laura Miele provided a note to staff (seen by IGN<\/a>) regarding the game\u2019s cancellation, stating: \u201cIt\u2019s always hard to walk away from a project, and this decision is not a reflection of the team\u2019s talent, tenacity or passion they have for the game.<\/p>\n \u201cGiving fans the next instalments of the iconic franchises they want is the definition of blockbuster storytelling, and the right place to focus.\u201d<\/p> Alongside the Star Wars game cancellation, EA has axed 670 jobs<\/a>, which represents about 5 per cent of the company\u2019s workforce.<\/p>\n A strategy game set in the Star Wars universe is also reportedly under threat of cancellation.<\/p>\n Additionally, Ridgeline Games will close<\/a>, too. The Seattle-based studio was said to be working on a narrative campaign set in the Battlefield universe, with some of its developers being moved into Ripple Effect.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also sunsetting games and moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry,\u201d wrote EA CEO Andrew Wilson in a letter to staff (via BBC<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cThis greater focus allows us to drive creativity, accelerate innovation, and double down on our biggest opportunities \u2013 including our owned IP, sports and massive online communities \u2013 to deliver the entertainment players want today and tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n EA has been shifting focus towards its own original IP in recent years \u2013 most notably, dropping the FIFA label and turning its football simulator into EA Sports FC.<\/p>\n An EA representative confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz<\/a> that the Black Panther game from Cliffhanger Games and the Iron Man game from EA Motive is still in active development.<\/p>\n It was reported by IGN<\/a> that the employees at Respawn who were working on the Star Wars project will now be assigned to these Marvel titles, as well as Apex Legends. EA has also confirmed a third entry in the Star Wars Jedi series of games.<\/p>\n This is the second time EA has made cuts to its workforce in recent times, moving on an estimated 775 people<\/a> (6 per cent of its total staff at the time) in March 2023.<\/p>\n It\u2019s sadly become a regular occurrence for the video game industry, with upwards of 6,000 jobs lost in 2023<\/a>, and 2024 has already seen a massive number of redundancies \u2013 Sony announced plans to let go 900 people<\/a> earlier this week, for instance.<\/p>\n Microsoft did similar in early February, affecting 1,900 people<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat was EA\u2019s cancelled Star Wars game?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What else has been axed in the EA layoffs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Battlefield](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/battlefield-36078c3.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"battlefield\\"\/")
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