Morale at Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, has reportedly plunged to an “all-time low” following Electronic Arts’ (EA) recent cancellation of a major game and the closure of Cliffhanger Games, one of its subsidiary studios.
Fallout from EA’s Layoffs and Game Cancellation
Earlier this week, EA confirmed the cancellation of its in-development Black Panther game and announced the closure of Cliffhanger Games, the studio attached to the project. The move is part of a broader round of layoffs at EA, affecting fewer than 300 employees, but the impact has rippled across the publisher’s other studios — including Respawn.
Patrick Wren, senior encounter designer at Respawn Entertainment and a key developer on the Star Wars Jedi series, voiced his frustration on Bluesky. In a public post, Wren stated plainly that morale had reached an “all-time low”, following the news. He later clarified that his comments were in direct response to EA’s decision to shut down Cliffhanger Games.
“I am just sorry for everyone who just wants to make cool video games in this industry,” Wren added in a separate post.
Concern for the Star Wars Jedi Franchise
Respawn is currently developing the third entry in the Star Wars Jedi action-adventure series, a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While the series remains one of EA’s most respected franchises, fans are beginning to worry about how internal morale issues could affect the next installment’s development and overall quality.
This concern is amplified by the broader uncertainty within EA’s structure and strategy. Despite Jedi: Survivor‘s commercial success and positive reviews, EA has shown an increased focus on trimming internal studios and shifting resources, leaving developers and fans anxious.
Respawn’s Role in EA’s Portfolio
Since EA acquired Respawn Entertainment in 2017, the studio has evolved from a Titanfall-focused team to a cornerstone of EA’s lineup. Beyond Star Wars Jedi, Respawn also develops Apex Legends, a free-to-play battle royale hero shooter that maintains a robust player base — peaking around 200,000 concurrent users in 2025.
However, even studios with strong track records aren’t immune to industry-wide instability. Wren’s comments shine a light on a growing fatigue among developers, many of whom feel left in the dark amid shifting corporate priorities.
The Human Cost Behind the Games
The broader gaming industry has faced a brutal wave of layoffs and restructuring over the past two years. Respawn’s case is another sobering reminder that even successful, fan-favorite studios are vulnerable. While no official delay or disruption to the Star Wars Jedi sequel has been confirmed, morale challenges within development teams often lead to creative and technical consequences.
For now, the next Jedi game is still in the works — but the future of Respawn, and EA’s single-player projects, remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the developers behind the galaxy’s most epic adventures are fighting their own battles back home.