Respawn Entertainment Explained

Respawn Entertainment, LLC
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Successors:-->
Hq Location City:Sherman Oaks, California
Hq Location Country:U.S.
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Vince Zampella (CEO)
Num Employees:315
Num Locations:3 (2023)[1]
Num Employees Year:2019
Subsid:Respawn Entertainment Vancouver
Respawn Entertainment Wisconsin
Parent:Electronic Arts (2017–present)
Products:Titanfall series
Apex Legends


Respawn Entertainment, LLC is an American video game development studio founded in 2010 by Jason West and Vince Zampella and owned by Electronic Arts since 2017. West and Zampella previously co-founded Infinity Ward and created the Call of Duty franchise, where they were responsible for its development until 2010.

Respawn's debut game, the first-person shooter Titanfall, was released in 2014. On December 1, 2017, the studio was acquired by EA. Its first game since the acquisition was the free-to-play Apex Legends, released on February 1, 2019, followed by , released in November of that year. Respawn developed , which included in its bonus features the Academy Award-winning short documentary Colette.

History

Jason West and Vince Zampella had been leads at Infinity Ward, a subsidiary of Activision founded in 2002. Infinity Ward was a principal studio on the Call of Duty series, and in 2007, released , a critical success for the series. West and Zampella leveraged the success of Modern Warfare to renegotiate their contracts with Activision in 2008, asking for large bonuses and creative control of the series in exchange for releasing in 2009, which Activision agreed to on the condition that the control would revert to Activision if the pair were fired. From that point, Activision sought ways to trigger that clause, and West and Zampella looked for ways to make Infinity Ward independent. Events came to a head in March 2010 when the two were fired from Activision, forfeiting their bonuses. Several lawsuits followed, with West and Zampella accusing Activision of unpaid bonuses while Activision countersued that the two had conspired with Electronic Arts (EA) to damage Infinity Ward, but these suits were ultimately settled out of court.[2]

In April 2010, a month after their release from Activision, West and Zampella set off to form a new independent studio, Respawn Entertainment. They sought funding from EA through the EA Partners Program. West and Zampella will retain the rights to all intellectual property produced by them in the future.[3] [4] [5] As of July 10, 2010, 38 of the 46 Infinity Ward employees who resigned from that studio following the firings of West and Zampella revealed through their LinkedIn and Facebook profiles that they had signed on with Respawn Entertainment.[6] [7]

EA Games Label president Frank Gibeau revealed at E3 2011 in June 2011 that Respawn Entertainment's EA-published shooter was "sci-fi oriented" and would allow the publisher to "compete with things like Gears and Halo".[8] Gibeau also stated that EA would release Respawn's project when it saw an "opportunistic" window.[8] Later that month, Respawn released a blurry teaser image of its unannounced game via the official website launched that day.[9] Respawn further released another blurry image, and teased the new game with mo-cap shot.[10] [11] West left the company in March 2013, with Zampella saying that his departure was "to take care of some family issues".[12] The following month, Respawn registered a trademark for the name Titan,[13] and it was reported that Respawn's game was an always-online Xbox exclusive, although nothing had been confirmed.[14]

In June 2013, Respawn Entertainment debuted Titanfall at E3. On October 22 they revealed the release date of the game to be March 11, 2014, in North America, and March 13 in Europe. In March 2015, it was announced that Respawn was developing a sequel, Titanfall 2, which was later released on October 28, 2016.

In June 2014, it was announced that Stig Asmussen, who previously worked for Santa Monica Studio on the God of War series, had joined the studio as game director of a second project that had nothing to do with Titanfall.[15] From job listings in January 2016, it was found that the project was to be a third person action-adventure game.[16] On May 4, 2016 – Star Wars Day – Asmussen announced Respawn Entertainment was making a third-person Star Wars game,[17] later revealed to be at E3 2018.[18]

In October 2017, it was announced that Respawn Entertainment was developing a virtual reality first person shooter title for the Oculus Rift, which was formally revealed as in September 2019.[19] [20]

In November 2017, Electronic Arts acquired the company for in cash and up to in equity.[21] The acquisition was completed on December 1, 2017.[22]

In February 2019, Respawn Entertainment debuted Apex Legends via YouTube livestream. This debut had no prior announcement or marketing. The game was released the same day as the livestream on February 4, 2019.[23]

On its tenth anniversary, Respawn announced it was opening a new studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, to focus on ongoing development of Apex Legends. The studio is located on the EA Vancouver campus as to be able to tap into their resources.[1]

On January 25, 2022, it was announced that Respawn was developing a sequel to Jedi Fallen Order alongside an original Star Wars FPS and a strategy game. Peter Hirshmann will direct the FPS and Bit Reactor will co-develop the strategy game.[24]

On March 20, 2023, Respawn announced they were opening a third studio to keep Apex Legends going for "10 to 15 years", this time in Madison, Wisconsin with Call of Duty veteran Ryan Burnett to lead the company in that branch. Prior to his previous position at Epic Games as director of engine production, Burnett spent 14 years at Call of Duty studio Raven Software – just one of the major studios based in the area.[25]

In September 2023, it was announced that Asmussen had left to Respawn to pursue other creative endeavors.[26] In March 2024, "around two dozen" Respawn employees were laid off as part of EA's previously announced effort to cut 5% of its global workforce.[27]

Colette

Colette is a 24-minute short film directed by Anthony Giacchino that was produced for inclusion in as an installment in its Gallery series of short documentaries. The film follows former French Resistance member Colette Marin-Catherine as she travels to Germany for the first time in 74 years to visit the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp where her brother died at the hands of the Nazis.[28]

Of the Gallery shorts, Colette garnered particular recognition for its cinematic value. Respawn and Oculus submitted it to various film festivals, including the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival where it won the award for Best Short, making it eligible for submission to the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for awards consideration.[29] Subsequently, Colette was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards, making the short the first production by a video game company to win an Oscar.[30] [31]

Games developed

YearTitlePlatform(s)Notes
2014TitanfallMicrosoft Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2016Titanfall 2Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017Android, iOSCo-developed with Particle City
2019Apex LegendsMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SThe Nintendo Switch version was co-developed by Panic Button
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SThe PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were co-developed by Panic Button
2020Microsoft Windows
2023Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Untitled Star Wars strategy game[32] TBA
Untitled game by Steve Fukuda[33]
Untitled Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sequel[34]

Canceled

!Year!Title!Ref.
2024Untitled Star Wars first-person shooter game[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Respawn marks its ten-year anniversary with a new Vancouver studio . Rebekah . Valentine . May 18, 2020 . May 18, 2020 . . May 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200519043452/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-18-respawn-marks-its-ten-year-anniversary-with-a-new-vancouver-studio . live .
  2. Web site: Modern Warfare . limited . Max . Chafkin . June 11, 2013 . January 2, 2020 . . February 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150209053639/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/06/lawsuit-video-game-activision-zampella-west . live .
  3. Web site: Pham . Alex . Jason West and Vincent Zampella's new call of duty . Los Angeles Times . April 12, 2010 . Ben Fritz . May 21, 2010 . April 13, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100413185146/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-ct-callofduty12-2010apr12,0,6466384.story . live .
  4. Web site: Respawn Entertainment announced by ex-IW heads, partnering with EA . Joystiq . April 12, 2010 . Christopher . Grant . May 21, 2010 . August 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160817070617/https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/respawn-entertainment/ . live .
  5. Web site: Reilly . Jim . Infinity Ward Founders Developing A 'Big Blockbuster' . IGN . April 12, 2010 . May 21, 2010 . December 9, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131209033304/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/12/infinity-ward-founders-developing-a-big-blockbuster . live .
  6. Web site: Who Remains At Infinity Ward ? . Cynicalsmirk.com . May 21, 2010 . December 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201230020509/http://www.cynicalsmirk.com/who_remains_at_infinity_ward.html . live .
  7. Web site: Who Remains at Infinity Ward? . https://archive.today/20120720160613/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179080 . dead . July 20, 2012 . cynicalsmirk.com . May 25, 2010 . May 25, 2010 .
  8. Web site: Andy Robinson . News: Respawn title is a 'sci-fi shooter', will 'compete with Halo, Gears' - EA . ComputerAndVideoGames.com . June 8, 2011 . March 28, 2014 . August 12, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110812230859/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/306326/respawn-title-is-a-sci-fi-shooter-will-compete-with-halo-gears-ea/ . live .
  9. Web site: News: Ex-Call of Duty boys tease new game with image . ComputerAndVideoGames.com . June 29, 2011 . March 28, 2014 . December 4, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141204182358/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/309647/ex-call-of-duty-boys-tease-new-game-with-image/ . live .
  10. Web site: Cullen . Johnny . Respawn releases another blurry image from first project . VG247 . December 20, 2011 . March 28, 2014 . June 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210622115317/https://www.vg247.com/2011/12/20/respawn-releases-another-blurry-image-from-first-project/ . live .
  11. Web site: Cullen . Johnny . Respawn further teases new game with mo-cap shot . VG247 . January 5, 2012 . March 28, 2014 . July 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210724122354/https://www.vg247.com/2012/01/05/respawn-further-teases-new-game-with-mo-cap-shot/ . live .
  12. Web site: Crecente . Brian . Respawn Entertainment co-founder Jason West retires . . . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130307005608/https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/3/4060292/respawn-jason-west-retirement . March 7, 2013 . March 3, 2013 . live.
  13. News: Phillips. Tom. Respawn registers trademark for Titan. Eurogamer.net. April 16, 2013. Eurogamer. May 16, 2013. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125151608/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-16-respawn-registers-trademark-for-titan. live.
  14. News: Yin-Poole. Wesley. Respawn game is reportedly an always-online Xbox exclusive. Eurogamer.net. April 30, 2013. Eurogamer. May 16, 2013. January 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210118073611/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-30-respawn-game-is-reportedly-an-always-online-xbox-exclusive. live.
  15. Web site: Makuch. Eddie. E3 2014: Veteran God of War Dev Joins Titanfall Studio. Gamespot. January 13, 2016. August 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230814162412/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-veteran-god-of-war-dev-joins-titanfall-studio/1100-6420459/. live.
  16. Web site: Nunneley. Stephany. Titanfall studio hiring for new third-person action-adventure title. January 12, 2016. VG247. January 13, 2016. August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802061300/https://www.vg247.com/2016/01/12/titanfall-studio-hiring-for-new-third-person-action-adventure-title/. live.
  17. Web site: Titanfall developer Respawn is making a third-person Star Wars game. Wesley. Yin-Poole. Eurogamer. May 4, 2016. May 4, 2016. May 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505012459/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-04-titanfall-developer-respawn-is-making-a-third-person-star-wars-game. live.
  18. Web site: Respawn's Star Wars game announced as Jedi: Fallen Order. Robert. Purchese. Eurogamer. June 9, 2018. June 10, 2018. February 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220217113052/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-09-respawns-star-wars-game-announced-as-jedi-fallen-order. live.
  19. Web site: Respawn Entertainment Teaming With Oculus For New game. Tanner. Pierce. DualShockers. October 11, 2017. October 12, 2017. October 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211018012342/https://www.dualshockers.com/respawn-entertainment-teaming-oculus-new-game/. live.
  20. Web site: Respawn is making a new Medal of Honor game for VR. Campbell. Colin. September 25, 2019. Polygon. en. September 25, 2019. October 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009052603/https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/25/20880808/medal-of-honor-oculus-rift-above-and-beyond-respawn. live.
  21. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . EA to acquire Titanfall developer Respawn . . November 9, 2017 . November 10, 2017 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015624/https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/9/16631136/ea-acquires-respawn-entertainment-titanfall-star-wars . live .
  22. Web site: Makuch . Eddie . EA Now Owns Titanfall Developer Respawn . . December 5, 2017 . December 7, 2017 . July 19, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190719080449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-now-owns-titanfall-developer-respawn/1100-6455409/ . live .
  23. Web site: Respawn says it's 'putting a lot on the line' with Apex Legends' surprise launch. Statt. Nick. 2019-02-04. The Verge. en. 2020-05-18. February 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015622/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18210935/apex-legends-respawn-ea-surprise-launch-battle-royale-big-gamble. live.
  24. Web site: Arts. Electronic. 2022-01-25. Electronic Arts & Lucasfilm Games announce new Star Wars titles from Respawn Entertainment. 2022-01-25. Electronic Arts Inc.. en. March 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325144758/https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/electronic-arts-and-lucasfilm-games-announce-new-star-wars-titles-from-respawn-entertainment. live.
  25. Web site: 2023-03-20 . Respawn opens third studio to keep Apex Legends going for '10 to 15 years' . 2023-03-20 . GamesIndustry.biz . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320133414/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/respawn-opens-third-studio-to-keep-apex-legends-going-for-10-to-15-years . live .
  26. News: 2023-09-13 . 'Star Wars' Video-Game Director Stig Asmussen Leaves Electronic Arts . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-09-13 . September 13, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230913195740/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-13/electronic-arts-executive-behind-star-wars-hits-leaves-company . live .
  27. Web site: Bailey . Kat . 2024-03-14 . Respawn Hit by 23 Layoffs Amid EA's Ongoing Cuts, With Apex Legends Among the Games Impacted . 2024-03-14 . IGN . en.
  28. News: Spangler. Todd. 2021-03-15. Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short. Variety. 30 March 2021. October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019230846/https://variety.com/2021/gaming/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/. live.
  29. . 'Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond' Gallery Film 'Colette' Receives Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject. Oculus. 2021-03-19. 2021-03-30. October 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020083654/https://www.oculus.com/blog/medal-of-honor-above-and-beyond-gallery-film-colette-receives-oscar-nomination-for-best-documentary-short-subject/. live.
  30. News: The full list of 2021 Oscars nominations . The Guardian . March 15, 2021 . 15 March 2021 . Film . Guardian . March 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210315131746/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/15/the-full-list-of-2021-oscar-nominations . live .
  31. Web site: Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short . Todd . Spangler . 15 March 2021 . 30 March 2021 . . June 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602095521/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/ . live .
  32. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . Star Wars Strategy Game Still Alive Following Mass Layoffs at EA . . March 4, 2024 . March 20, 2024.
  33. Web site: Titanfall Director Making "Something New," But It's Not More Titanfall . 2023-05-02 . GameSpot . en-US . October 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231009230205/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/titanfall-director-making-something-new-but-its-not-more-titanfall/1100-6513762/ . live .
  34. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . 2023-09-25 . Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sequel in the works, star says . 2023-10-04 . Polygon . en-US . October 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004213353/https://www.polygon.com/23889211/star-wars-jedi-3-trilogy-cal-kestis-cameron-monaghan . live .
  35. Web site: 2024-02-28 . EA Cancels Respawn Star Wars Shooter Amid Mass Layoff . 2024-02-29 . Kotaku . en.

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