Electronic Arts announced in February 2024 that a restructuring plan would affect approximately 5% of its workforce. As part of the changes, EA said Respawn Entertainment would stop early development on an unnamed Star Wars first-person shooter. EA said it was redirecting resources toward games based on its own brands and support for existing games.
What EA announced
EA’s board approved the restructuring plan on February 27, 2024, and the company disclosed it in a Form 8-K filed the following 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 about 5% of employees. EA’s SEC filing and Wilson’s letter establish the percentage; EA did not give an exact employee count in those statements.
Game Informer reported a figure of roughly 670 employees associated with the 5% announcement. That is a contemporaneous media estimate, not an official headcount published by EA. Game Informer’s report also identified the affected project as a Star Wars first-person shooter in development at Respawn.
Which Star Wars game was canceled?
EA Entertainment and Technology president Laura Miele said Respawn would “pivot away from early development on a Star Wars FPS Action game.” Contemporaneous coverage described it as an unnamed Star Wars first-person shooter. EA’s statement did not announce a public title, release date or detailed gameplay, so it should not be confused with a released Star Wars game or given an unofficial name.
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Miele said Respawn would focus on new projects based on EA-owned brands while continuing to support existing games. She also said the decision was not a reflection of the team’s talent or passion. Her February 28, 2024 employee note is EA’s explanation of the project decision.
Why did EA make the changes?
EA framed the restructuring as a shift in its portfolio and resource priorities. In Wilson’s letter, he said the company was sunsetting games and moving away from future licensed intellectual property it did not believe would succeed in a changing industry. Miele’s note linked the Respawn decision to a focus on EA-owned brands and support for existing titles.
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Those statements describe EA’s stated rationale; they do not establish an independent cause for the layoffs or prove that any particular financial result drove the cancellation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What costs did EA estimate?
EA’s SEC filing estimated total restructuring charges of $125 million to $165 million. The filing broke the anticipated costs into these categories:
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| Estimated charge category | Amount in EA’s filing |
|---|---|
| Office-space reductions | $50 million to $65 million |
| Employee severance and related costs | $40 million to $55 million |
| Licensor commitments | $35 million to $45 million |
These were estimates in the February 2024 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 report of final realized outcomes.
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