After nearly a decade of waiting for the highly anticipated Titanfall 3, a recent announcement from Respawn has killed most of the hope I had for a return to one of my favorite sci-fi gaming franchises returning anytime soon. Following less-than-expected sales for recent titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and profits from EA's ongoing live-service titles, the company has tragically laid off a significant portion of its development teams. While EA took the brunt of the layoffs itself, Respawn Entertainment was also significantly affected, with over 100 positions being cut as a part of the decision.

Not only are layoffs an unfortunate but all-too-common trend in the gaming industry, they also bring with them the cancellation of unique projects created by talented development teams that will never see the light of day. While not too many details have been revealed about each of the two projects being cancelled by Respawn, one of them was almost too strange to believe. Following the announcement, it turns out one leak was spot on to the official project by Respawn set in the Titanfall universe, but we found out in the worst way possible.

Titanfall's Extraction Shooter Has Been Officially Canceled

Causing A More Than Mixed Reaction From The Titanfall Community

Despite the countless rumors about Titanfall 3 releasing over the years, there has been very little Titanfall news from EA or Respawn aside from a few vague social media posts acknowledging the franchise and hinting that it isn't being entirely abandoned. While it doesn't technically count as another Titanfall 3 cancellation, Respawn's next spinoff, Project R7, was set in the Titanfall universe and planned as a closer successor to Titanfall 2, but has been officially canceled as a part of the most recent layoffs.

Respawn's next spinoff, Project R7, was set in the Titanfall universe and planned as a closer successor to Titanfall 2.

Rather than putting resources towards Titanfall and another unnamed FPS project, EA plans to push more resources towards proven franchises like Apex Legends and the Star Wars: Jedi series instead. While the move isn't too surprising given EA's focus on live service projects, the downsizing of proven team and killing hope for a fan-favorite revival seems like a massive misstep for the studio's future.

On top of the devastating news for Titanfall fans, I was more than a little confused by the direction EA was taking with the next entry in the series. While I am more than a little desperate for any official Titanfall content at this point, I can't say that I would have looked forward to yet another multiplayer spin-off for the series riddled with microtransactions.

Another Titanfall Spinoff Would Have Been A Massive Disappointment

A Confusing Attempt To Satisfy Both Gaming Crowds

Despite it being hard to see Apex Legends and Titanfall in the same universe aside from their environments and weapon designs, without the ever-popular battle royale, the Titanfall franchise would likely have been left behind years ago. While I'm thankful that some elements of Titanfall have lived on and continue to be referenced in Apex Legends' recent seasons or related media, it still hurts to see one of my favorite gaming experiences being reduced to simple set dressing.

It still hurts to see one of my favorite gaming experiences being reduced to simple set dressing.

Unfortunately for Titanfall fans, Apex Legends has massively dwarfed both the player count and profits of both Titanfall games combined by a significant margin, likely being the reason that EA has focused its efforts on the live service title so heavily over the years. With Apex Legends having earned several billion dollars of profit since its release only 6 years ago, I'm not too surprised that EA was trying to recapture the lightning success of Apex Legends with yet another multiplayer-only onlyTitanfall spinoff.

Even if the canceled Project R7 had survived long enough to make it out of the development phase, I'm hesitant to believe Titanfall's second spinoff would have reached anywhere near the same level of success as Apex Legends. There's certainly a market for extraction shooters based on the ongoing popularity of games like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt Showdown, but the up-and-coming gameplay style is a much more niche genre than the widespread appeal and explosive popularity of fast-paced battle royales.

There's Still Room For Single-Player Games From EA

Other Franchises Can Still Flourish Alongside EA's Microtransaction Strategy

It's not too hard to picture an extraction shooter taking place in the desolate and war-ridden galaxy of Titanfall, but it's hard to picture an image that would satisfy either of Respawn's target demographics. On top of the slower-paced game design that would have likely alienated Apex Legends players, I struggle to imagine Project R7's appeal to fans still holding out hope for a sequel to Titanfall 2. Despite my concerns, Respawn has proven they're more than capable of creating unique and fun gameplay experiences, but Marathon's negative reaction isn't a great sign for public perception towards the genre.

With EA continuing to fund these kinds of projects, there could still be room for Titanfall 3 from Respawn.

Despite EA's lack of focus on single-player-only experiences with little room for DLC, that hasn't stopped several franchises from thriving under their influence. From one-off titles like the Dead Space Remaster to the beloved and ongoing Star Wars: Jedi franchise, there is still a clear demand and financial incentive for high-quality experiences without live service elements. With EA continuing to fund these kinds of projects, there could still be room for Titanfall 3 from Respawn, especially if it uses Apex Legends to boost the popularity of the franchise through story events.

EA's Monetization Has Me Worried About Titanfall 3

There Might Never Be A Sequel To Titanfall 2, But It Could Be For The Best

The popularity of Apex Legends seems to have been a double-edged sword for the Titanfall franchise, as its popular gameplay style and mountain of content have managed to surprise the cult fanaticism behind Titanfall's incredibly interesting worldbuilding. Following leaks that the canceled Project R7 would have featured a similar level of microtransactions and the implementation of a battle , I can't say that I'm too disappointed it never came to fruition. It's no secret that Apex Legends' monetization is some of the most expensive in the genre, stretching the definition of the micro in microtransactions with their cosmetic prices.

I'm still holding out hope that Project R7 wasn't the sole Titanfall project in development by Respawn, given how early its development was canceled.

At this point, I'm not confident that EA will be able to deliver another entry in the Titanfall universe with the franchise focus it deserves, especially after the effect Apex Legends and other live service titles have had on both EA and the industry as a whole. While I'm still holding out hope that Project R7 wasn't the sole Titanfall project in development by Respawn, given how early its development was canceled, I would rather have Titanfall 2 be the last in the series than a barely recognizable spinoff using the IP to boost sales.