In February 2024, Electronic Arts announced a restructuring plan expected to affect about 5% of its workforce and said Respawn Entertainment would pivot away from an early-development Star Wars first-person shooter. EA did not publicly name the game. The 5% figure was the company’s estimate; a contemporaneous report put the headcount at roughly 670, but EA’s official statements did not give a precise number.
What EA announced
EA’s board approved a restructuring plan on February 27, 2024, and the company disclosed it in a Form 8-K filed the next day. The filing described portfolio rationalization, licensor commitments, real-estate reductions and headcount reductions affecting approximately 5% of EA’s workforce. CEO Andrew Wilson’s February 28 employee letter likewise said the decisions were expected to affect approximately 5%.
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That percentage is EA’s stated approximate workforce impact, not a precise count of people who ultimately lost their jobs. Game Informer reported an estimate of roughly 670 employees; that figure was secondary reporting, not EA’s official headcount.
Which Star Wars game did Respawn cancel?
EA Entertainment and Technology president Laura Miele said Respawn would “pivot away from early development on a Star Wars FPS Action game.” Game Informer described it as Respawn’s unnamed Star Wars first-person shooter. EA’s statement did not give the project a public title, and the available statements do not establish detailed gameplay or a release date.
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- The following games are included in the cartridge: STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (3.6 GB)
- STAR WARS Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (1.1 GB)
- STAR WARS Episode I Racer (254 MB)
- STAR WARS Republic Commando (2.5 GB)
- STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed (3.4 GB)
This was an unreleased project, not a released Star Wars game. It should not be confused with other Star Wars titles from Respawn or other studios.
Why did EA halt the project?
EA presented the decision as part of a broader shift in priorities. Miele said the company would focus on new projects based on EA-owned brands while continuing to support existing games. Wilson said EA was “moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry.” These are EA’s stated strategic reasons; the announcements do not independently establish a more specific cause for this project’s cancellation.
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Miele also said the decision was not a reflection of the team’s talent, tenacity or passion. That was her characterization of the decision, not evidence about the project’s development history.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the filing said about restructuring costs
EA estimated total restructuring charges of $125 million to $165 million. The company’s February 2024 filing broke that estimate into these categories:
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| Estimated charge category | EA’s estimate |
|---|---|
| Office-space reductions | $50 million to $65 million |
| Employee severance and employee-related costs | $40 million to $55 million |
| Licensor commitments | $35 million to $45 million |
These were estimates in the filing, not confirmed final costs. EA said it expected actions under the plan to be substantially complete by December 31, 2024; that was the company’s timetable at the time, not a statement of final realized outcomes.
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What is and is not established
- Established by EA: the restructuring plan’s approximate 5% workforce impact, its stated portfolio and resource priorities, and the decision to pivot away from the early-development Star Wars FPS Action project.
- Reported by a secondary source: an estimate of roughly 670 employees affected.
- Not established in the cited announcements: a public title for the canceled game, its detailed creative direction, a precise official employee count, final restructuring charges, or individual employee outcomes.
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