Titanfall fans dismayed as extraction shooter axed

Titanfall enthusiasts are grappling with news that EA has terminated another incubation project at Respawn Entertainment, while simultaneously implementing layoffs across its incubation teams, Apex Legends, Star Wars: Jedi, and EA Experience divisions.

Bloomberg revealed the canceled game - codenamed R7 - was an extraction shooter set in the Titanfall universe. While not the Titanfall 3 sequel fans desperately wanted, many remain devastated that Titanfall 2 still lacks a follow-up nearly ten years later.

"I just collapsed in despair at Walmart," expressed one distraught player, while another posted: "I CAN'T ENDURE THIS ANY LONGER."

"How many more disappointments must we suffer before they abandon these pursuits and let us mourn in peace?" remarked another fan.

However, some community members view the cancellation positively, believing an extraction shooter could have permanently damaged the franchise.

"This might be the best possible outcome for preserving Titanfall's future," argued one Reddit user. "A failed Titanfall extraction shooter would've given executives justification to claim fans lost interest, rather than admitting nobody wanted Titanfall reinvented as an extraction game."

"Frankly relieved they canceled this," commented another player, adding: "An extraction shooter? Good riddance."

"I'm exhausted by extraction shooters - they're formulaic and tedious. Instead of looting meaningless items and camping for half-hour intervals, give me fast-paced matches with wall-running and Titan combat," proposed this enthusiast.

"Initially devastated, then saw 'extraction shooter' - immediately made peace with the decision," concluded another community member.

The approximately 100 affected positions at Respawn spanned development, publishing, and Apex Legends QA teams, alongside smaller groups working on Star Wars Jedi projects and two canceled incubation ventures - one previously reported in March, the other believed to be the Titanfall extraction shooter.

These cuts continue EA's pattern of recent restructuring. Earlier this year saw BioWare reorganizations involving both developer reassignments and staff reductions. Following 50 BioWare layoffs in 2023 and unspecified cuts at Codemasters, EA's broader 2024 restructuring included 670 company-wide job losses, with approximately two dozen affecting Respawn specifically.

Previously disclosed details reveal Respawn Entertainment devoted 10 months to serious Titanfall 3 development before abandoning it for Apex Legends.

Mohammad Alavi, who became Titanfall 3's narrative lead designer before its cancellation, explained to The Burnettwork that significant progress had been achieved.

"Following Titanfall 2's launch, we immediately began earnest Titanfall 3 development for about 10 months," Alavi recalled.

"We developed new technology, completed multiple mission prototypes, and achieved a playable version maintaining – if not exceeding – our previous quality standards. However, the improvements remained incremental rather than revolutionary."

The decision to cancel stemmed from two key factors: persistent multiplayer engagement challenges and the skyrocketing popularity of battle royale games following PUBG's 2017 release.

"Our multiplayer team struggled resolving engagement issues," Alavi continued. "While Titanfall 2's multiplayer enjoys passionate support from a dedicated community, its intense gameplay burns out casual players quickly."

"When PUBG launched, our developers became more engrossed testing Titanfall classes integrated into battle royale environments than conventional multiplayer prototypes. This realization sparked our pivotal decision to abandon Titanfall 3's safe evolution for Apex Legends' innovative potential."

"Though I'll always mourn Titanfall 3's unrealized potential," Alavi reflected, "redirecting resources towards Apex Legends undoubtedly proved the correct - albeit radical - decision."