Upcoming Star Wars Game In 'Big Trouble' As Studio Goes On Strike With Layoffs Looming
The return of the Jedi, Sith, Ewok, and droids are all on the cards as the galaxy far, far away is planning for a big expansion.
The beloved Star Wars franchise is gearing up for a huge end to the decade, starting off with its own Mario Kart and Burnout crossover with Galactic Racers, and ending with the remaking of one of the greatest RPGs of all time in Knights of the Old Republic.
In total, there are at least six games on the way that will focus on niche moments like a sub-section of the Clone Wars with Anakin Skywalker, pod-racing, and more Cal Kestis action.
But with the catalogue of games being in development across different studios, the ever-growing intergalactic sci-fi series might be leaving one title behind, as there is 'big trouble' for one project that could be eclipsed.
Quantic Dream staff launch strike that could end Star Wars: Eclipse production
Layoffs have been hitting the gaming industry hard again, with Xbox making mass cuts to its in-house studios while Bungie has cut back on its Destiny roster, all in all affecting hundreds of jobs.
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Another studio whose future remains uncertain is Quantic Dream, as the San Francisco studio is reportedly making 115 cutbacks to its staff, citing a lack of resources while employees claim that there aren't enough people working on their upcoming game.
Star Wars: Eclipse could be in the crossfire, as a Lucasfilm representative has been to the studio this week to see how development of the licensed title is coming along.
Described as 'an intricately branching action-adventure game that can be experienced in many ways,' Star Wars: Eclipse is supposed to be an original story in the franchise's deep lore, based on the Outer Rim planets seen in Andor.
"See the galaxy through the eyes of an ensemble cast of multiple, charismatic playable characters, each with their own morality, personality, motivations, and impact upon each other and the story at large," reads the description released by Quantic Dream.
However, the pending layoffs have resulted in a studio-wide strike, and is in 'big trouble' according to insiders.
Having been acquired by Chinese giants NetEase - the owners of Marvel Rivals, Fragpunk, and Where the Winds Meet, who are churning out souls-like RPGs like there is no tomorrow - Quantic Dream looked to be in a steady home.
But a statement from its staff claims that the Quantic Dream management is the one making the big decision to lay off its staff, not NetEase, and that Star Wars: Eclipse will never arrive if the redundancies progress.
"We believe that, as things stand, the game literally cannot be finished if the redundancy plan is implemented as currently scheduled," reads a statement given to French outlet Gamekult.
"We absolutely need the 115 people who have been inactive (or almost) for a month already. That's a whole month of lost production! During that month, employees could have been trained on the specific tools of Star Wars Eclipse. We also want to strongly alert management and tell them to look at all these people who are eager to work but aren't in on the day of an official visit.
"When our bosses need to shift the blame, they claim that NetEase makes the decisions and that it's beyond their control, but at other times, they tell you that NetEase is simply providing the funding and that Quantic Dream has complete freedom!"
Reports emerged earlier this year that Star Wars: Eclipse could be cancelled, but the staff remains adamant that development continues and they are working 'overtime' to get it completed.
However, if the staff does get cut, it is likely to be the writing on the wall for this game.