Apex Legends Writer Dismissed Just After Character Launch Highlights Industry Instability
The gaming industry undergoes changes as layoffs hit after character reveals, raising questions about job security.
EA has laid off hundreds of employees—reportedly around 300 to 400—across its studios, including approximately 100 at Respawn Entertainment, the developers behind Titanfall and Apex Legends. Among those affected, Heather Woodward, a narrative designer, was let go just a day after her newly debuted character, Prodigy, was introduced in Apex Legends.
In a post on Bluesky, Heather shared her excitement about the release: “My first born is finally here. I’ve been working on this sweet ragazzo for well over a year. Writing a music video style trailer was a tough but rewarding challenge and I can’t believe I get to see my work animated by the incredible team at Sun Creature.”
Translation: “My first born is finally here. I’ve been working on this sweet boy for well over a year. Writing a music video style trailer was a tough but rewarding challenge and I can’t believe I get to see my work animated by the incredible team at Sun Creature.”
However, on April 29, she found herself among those caught in the wave of layoffs, stating: “Well, this is awkward but… I was just mass-downsized at Respawn. These things happen and my time with Apex has been a top to bottom blast, my favorite job I’ve ever had. It’s been a true joy to write Sparrow, I’ll continue to be insufferable about him for weeks to come.”
Returning to her earlier sentiments, Woodward seems to accept the industry’s unpredictable nature: “There’s just zero guarantee of anything, anymore. Let’s review the reasons why you might be laid off in this industry:
- If your game doesn’t perform well, which is harsh but reasonable.
- If your game is dubbed a success but is subsequently followed by layoffs.
- If you contributed to a successful project but still find yourself dismissed.
- If your studio gets acquired for a significant amount, layoffs could follow.
- If executive pressure forces your studio into unfamiliar territory, it could lead to cuts.
- If organizational restructuring occurs for market flexibility, layoffs may ensue.
This situation highlights the fragility of job security in the gaming world, showcasing a stark reality for those within the industry.
