Concern Grows From Users With Electronic Arts Involvement As Leadership At Respawn Entertainment Continues Departing

Although Titanfall and its sequel remains to be one of the most overviewed releases from the last console generation, Electronic Arts was adamant to continue fueling what drove the story-rich universe crafted by Respawn Entertainment. Which later became the full-on acquisition for the developer, Electronic Arts understood is struct gold. Enough to classify the purchase later on to be a “classic acquisition” after the success of Apex Legends.

Now with 2021 officially behind us as the new year is beginning to settle, fans that actively follow Respawn Entertainment via Apex Legends are picking up a change in the momentum of content for the free-to-play game. While Season 11 remains to be one of the driest content updates for the game, users are noticing a disappointing number of decisions made for the free-to-play model.

For one, epic skins for Legends are now less impactful in its value with rare variants essentially taking its spot. Users determine the decision to be made in future reference to resell later on as content is not season locked any longer. Additionally, a promise for limited-time modes has still yet to be delivered. But with the success of other free-to-play experiences on the rise, it is worrying if the team does not act soon.

Some concluded that the departure of senior staff at Respawn Entertainment is the reason for the decisions made at the studio. Most recently, Apex Legends director Chad Grenier announced to be leaving his position at the game studio.

Apex Legends is in great hands and I feel like I can walk away knowing this game and community will continue to be taken care of. We’ve got years worth of content in flight, and I can’t think of anyone better than Steven Ferreira to take over as the game director and make sure it’s done right.

Steven joined as a lead on the Apex Legends team shortly after launch in June 2019, where he’s been running half of the team and serving as my right hand for the other half. At Respawn, we’ve always believed that new leadership and new team members mean new ideas, new energy, and new innovations. This couldn’t be a more accurate statement to describe Steven’s many contributions over the years.

As I step away from Respawn, it’s important to let you know how much everyone at the studio and I appreciate the fans and this passionate community. Without you, this whole making games thing just doesn’t work. And we’ve accomplished some truly extraordinary things together, from integrating fan art into the game to seeing the community bring Apex Legends stories to life on Twitter. It’s been an absolute joy to watch the game and community grow.

Grenier is not the only leadership role stepping away from Respawn Entertainment recently. Also, Design Director Jason McCord announced he will be leaving the developer as well at the same time. Many are going on to believe the exodus of employees at the Titanfall/Apex team is to blame for Electronic Arts continued involvement in its work which is affecting how the game is being received currently.

On top of that, Respawn Entertainment founder Vince Zampella is overseeing DICE’s Battlefield IP with Oskar Gabrielson leaving. The announcement now shifts focus from Zampella when managing Ripple Effect (formerly DICE L.A.) atop of work at Respawn Entertainment as well. Halo veteran Marcus Lehto is also involved with the new pathway laid for Battlefield also.

Perhaps the decisions currently made for Apex Legends is the doing of leadership of the game alone. Noted, Respawn Entertainment did open a dedicated studio for the project in Vancouver last year and the original team based in Redwood City is might not be entirety aware of the internal choices made for Apex Legends. You can read the full report by heading here.

What do you think about the current state of leadership at Respawn Entertainment?