In a series of ongoing cuts at EA, approximately two dozen employees at Respawn Entertainment have been laid off. The layoffs are part of the company's wider reduction plan, which will result in around 5 percent of EA's workforce losing their jobs.

The news of the layoffs first spread on social media channels on Thursday, with reports indicating that even the social team of Apex Legends, one of EA's most successful live service games since its launch in 2019, was affected by the cuts.

These layoffs are part of the previously announced reductions that were unveiled in February, expected to impact roughly 670 employees across the company. The entire process is set to be completed by the end of the month.

Interestingly, EA's reasoning for the layoffs is its intention to shift away from future licensed intellectual properties (IPs) and focus more on its own franchises. However, this decision has raised eyebrows in relation to Apex Legends, as sources reveal that EA has plans to continue investing in its development, considering it a "huge priority" for the future.

One employee impacted by the Respawn layoffs shared their heartfelt sentiments about their time at the studio, expressing gratitude for the experience of working on Apex Legends and supporting its passionate community.

In addition to the Respawn layoffs, EA has also canceled a Star Wars first-person shooter (FPS) game rumored to be centered around a Mandalorian character. Nonetheless, work continues on the upcoming Jedi game, Black Panther, and Iron Man. Furthermore, EA has shut down Ridgeline Games, which was co-founded by Marcus Lehto to focus on Battlefield's single-player campaign.

These EA cuts are part of a larger wave of layoffs in the gaming industry, affecting thousands of workers at companies like Riot and Epic. These employment reductions have shed light on the far-reaching human cost of such actions, including their disproportionate impact on disabled workers.

As the restructuring efforts continue at EA, the industry waits to see how these changes will shape the future of the gaming giant and its franchises.