Titanfall Fans Grieve as Extraction Shooter Axed

Titanfall enthusiasts received devastating news as EA terminated another experimental project at Respawn Entertainment, accompanied by significant staff reductions across their incubation, Apex Legends, Star Wars: Jedi, and EA Experience divisions.

Bloomberg revealed the canceled title, internally known as R7, was an extraction-based shooter set in the Titanfall universe. While not the Titanfall 3 follow-up fans demanded, many expressed disappointment that nearly ten years later, Titanfall 2 remains without a true successor.

"I just collapsed in disbelief at Walmart," shared one heartbroken player, while another wrote bluntly: "I CAN'T ENDURE THIS ANY LONGER."

"How many more setbacks must we face before they abandon hope completely and let us mourn in peace?" questioned another fan.

However, some community members view this as a positive development, believing an extraction shooter might have permanently damaged the franchise's reputation.

"This cancellation actually protects the Titanfall IP," argued one Reddit user. "A failed Titanfall extraction shooter could have convinced corporate executives that interest in the franchise was dead, rather than recognizing it was simply the wrong genre."

"I'm relieved about this cancellation," agreed another, adding: "An extraction shooter? Good riddance."

"I'm utterly exhausted by extraction shooters - their predictable formulas, tedious looting mechanics, and camping gameplay. Just give me fast-paced matches with wall-running action and Titans unleashing destruction," pleaded a passionate series supporter.

"Initially devastated, then saw 'extraction shooter' and instantly felt better," concluded another commenter.

The layoffs affected approximately 100 Respawn employees across development, publishing, and QA teams supporting Apex Legends, plus smaller groups working on Jedi projects and two scrapped experimental titles - including one we covered in March and another believed to be the Titanfall extraction shooter.

These cuts continue EA's pattern of restructuring. Earlier this year saw BioWare downsizing, redirecting some staff while letting others go. The publisher previously eliminated 50 BioWare positions in 2023 plus an unspecified number at Codemasters, followed by broader 2024 reductions totaling 670 company-wide terminations, including approximately two dozen Respawn employees.

In 2023, revelations surfaced that Respawn seriously developed Titanfall 3 for 10 months before pivoting to Apex Legends.

Mohammad Alavi, Titanfall 3's former narrative lead designer, disclosed to The Burnettwork that substantial progress had been made before cancellation.

"After Titanfall 2's release, we immediately began earnest work on Titanfall 3," Alavi recalled. "We developed new technology, created multiple missions, and built a fully playable prototype matching - if not exceeding - our previous quality standards. Crucially though, these were incremental improvements rather than revolutionary changes."

The cancellation resulted from two key factors: multiplayer design challenges and the explosive popularity of battle royale games following PUBG's 2017 release.

"Our multiplayer team struggled to solve fundamental engagement issues," Alavi explained. "While enthusiasts adored Titanfall 2's multiplayer, many players found it overwhelming - exhilarating yet unsustainable for long-term play."

A turning point came when developers became more captivated by Titanfall-inspired battle royale prototypes than traditional multiplayer modes under development.

"When PUBG launched, our priorities shifted dramatically," Alavi continued. "We recognized an opportunity to create something truly special rather than just delivering 'Titanfall 2 but better.' Though difficult, canceling Titanfall 3 proved absolutely correct."

Remarkably, Respawn made this pivotal decision without initially informing EA, waiting six months until presenting a functional battle royale prototype that ultimately became Apex Legends.