Respawn Entertainment

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Respawn Entertainment, LLC
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedApril 12, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-04-12)
Founders
  • Jason West
  • Vince Zampella
Headquarters
Sherman Oaks, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
3 (2023)[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Vince Zampella (CEO)
ProductsTitanfall series
Apex Legends
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Number of employees
315 (2019)
ParentElectronic Arts (2017–present)
SubsidiariesRespawn Entertainment Vancouver
Respawn Entertainment Wisconsin
Websiterespawn.com

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 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, released in November of that year. Respawn developed Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, which included in its bonus features the Academy Award-winning short documentary Colette.[2]

History[edit]

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 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 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 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 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.[3]

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.[4][5][6] 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.[7][8]

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".[9] Gibeau also stated that EA would release Respawn's project when it saw an "opportunistic" window.[9] Later that month, Respawn released a blurry teaser image of its unannounced game via the official website launched that day.[10] Respawn further released another blurry image, and teased the new game with mo-cap shot.[11][12] West left the company in March 2013, with Zampella saying that his departure was "to take care of some family issues".[13] The following month, Respawn registered a trademark for the name Titan,[14] and it was reported that Respawn's game was an always-online Xbox exclusive, although nothing had been confirmed.[15]

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.[16] From job listings in January 2016, it was found that the project was to be a third person action-adventure game.[17] On May 4, 2016 – Star Wars Day – Asmussen announced Respawn Entertainment was making a third-person Star Wars game,[18] later revealed to be Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at E3 2018.[19]

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 Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond in September 2019.[20][21]

In November 2017, Electronic Arts acquired the company for US$151 million in cash and up to US$164 million in equity.[22] The acquisition was completed on December 1, 2017.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26]

In September 2023, it was announced that Asmussen had left to Respawn to pursue other creative endeavors.[27] 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.[28]

Colette[edit]

Colette is a 24-minute short film directed by Anthony Giacchino that was produced for inclusion in Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond 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.[29]

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.[30] 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.[31][2]

Games developed[edit]

Year Title Platform(s) Notes
2014 Titanfall Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2016 Titanfall 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017 Titanfall: Assault Android, iOS Co-developed with Particle City
2019 Apex Legends Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S The Nintendo Switch version was co-developed by Panic Button
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were co-developed by Panic Button
2020 Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond Microsoft Windows
2023 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
TBA Untitled Star Wars strategy game[32] TBA
Untitled game by Steve Fukuda[33]
Untitled Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sequel[34]

Canceled[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Valentine, Rebekah (May 18, 2020). "Respawn marks its ten-year anniversary with a new Vancouver studio". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (March 15, 2021). "Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short". Variety. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Chafkin, Max (June 11, 2013). "Modern Warfare". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Pham, Alex; Ben Fritz (April 12, 2010). "Jason West and Vincent Zampella's new call of duty". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  5. ^ Grant, Christopher (April 12, 2010). "Respawn Entertainment announced by ex-IW heads, partnering with EA". Joystiq. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  6. ^ Reilly, Jim (April 12, 2010). "Infinity Ward Founders Developing A 'Big Blockbuster'". IGN. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  7. ^ "Who Remains At Infinity Ward ?". Cynicalsmirk.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  8. ^ "Who Remains at Infinity Ward?". cynicalsmirk.com. May 25, 2010. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Andy Robinson (June 8, 2011). "News: Respawn title is a 'sci-fi shooter', will 'compete with Halo, Gears' - EA". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "News: Ex-Call of Duty boys tease new game with image". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  11. ^ Cullen, Johnny (December 20, 2011). "Respawn releases another blurry image from first project". VG247. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  12. ^ Cullen, Johnny (January 5, 2012). "Respawn further teases new game with mo-cap shot". VG247. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  13. ^ Crecente, Brian (March 3, 2013). "Respawn Entertainment co-founder Jason West retires". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  14. ^ Phillips, Tom (April 16, 2013). "Respawn registers trademark for Titan". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  15. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (April 30, 2013). "Respawn game is reportedly an always-online Xbox exclusive". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  16. ^ Makuch, Eddie. "E3 2014: Veteran God of War Dev Joins Titanfall Studio". Gamespot. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  17. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (January 12, 2016). "Titanfall studio hiring for new third-person action-adventure title". VG247. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  18. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (May 4, 2016). "Titanfall developer Respawn is making a third-person Star Wars game". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  19. ^ Purchese, Robert (June 9, 2018). "Respawn's Star Wars game announced as Jedi: Fallen Order". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  20. ^ Pierce, Tanner (October 11, 2017). "Respawn Entertainment Teaming With Oculus For New game". DualShockers. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  21. ^ Campbell, Colin (September 25, 2019). "Respawn is making a new Medal of Honor game for VR". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  22. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 9, 2017). "EA to acquire Titanfall developer Respawn". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  23. ^ Makuch, Eddie (December 5, 2017). "EA Now Owns Titanfall Developer Respawn". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  24. ^ Statt, Nick (February 4, 2019). "Respawn says it's 'putting a lot on the line' with Apex Legends' surprise launch". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  25. ^ Arts, Electronic (January 25, 2022). "Electronic Arts & Lucasfilm Games announce new Star Wars titles from Respawn Entertainment". Electronic Arts Inc. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "Respawn opens third studio to keep Apex Legends going for '10 to 15 years'". GamesIndustry.biz. March 20, 2023. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "'Star Wars' Video-Game Director Stig Asmussen Leaves Electronic Arts". Bloomberg.com. September 13, 2023. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Bailey, Kat (March 14, 2024). "Respawn Hit by 23 Layoffs Amid EA's Ongoing Cuts, With Apex Legends Among the Games Impacted". IGN. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 15, 2021). "Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short". Variety. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  30. ^ "'Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond' Gallery Film 'Colette' Receives Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject" (Press release). Oculus. March 19, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Film, Guardian (March 15, 2021). "The full list of 2021 Oscars nominations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 4, 2024). "Star Wars Strategy Game Still Alive Following Mass Layoffs at EA". IGN. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  33. ^ "Titanfall Director Making "Something New," But It's Not More Titanfall". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  34. ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 25, 2023). "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sequel in the works, star says". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  35. ^ "EA Cancels Respawn Star Wars Shooter Amid Mass Layoff". Kotaku. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.

External links[edit]

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