Early last month, video game industry watchdogs posited that Respawn Entertainment's reportedly canceled "unannounced incubation project" was some type of Titanfall IP. Certain insiders believed that the recently scrapped project was a "smaller-scale" multiplayer-focused game, rather than a full sequel to 2016's franchise entry. The long dormant first-person shooter sci-fi series has attracted a cult following, but Respawn pivoted with the IP's universe into producing Apex Legends—an extremely popular free-to-play online shooter. Hopes for a third Titanfall title have been revived once more; courtesy of two notorious Apex Legend data miners—YOROTSUKI and Osvaldatore. Earlier today, the latter figure uploaded a cryptic "Titanfall 3" logo to social media. In a more elaborate follow-up post, YOROTSUKI leaked some alleged "inner circle" info.

They dismissed comments about their collaborator simply playing a prank—too late for April Fool's day. They referred back to December, when they openly discussed Respawn's "development of a secret game." These past Discord conversations are now linked forward to an alleged still alive "Titanfall 3" project. YOROTSUKI predicts an unveiling to the public during The Game Awards 2025—so December, at the earliest. An official launch window is allegedly on the EA release calendar for 2026. As interpreted by MP1st, this new leak should be absorbed with maybe more than one grain of salt—the online publication has spent time sniffing out a Respawn Entertainment-adjacent property. Allegedly "Project Bruno" is Bit Reactor's "Star Wars turn-based tactics game," due for an official reveal later this month.

Respawn Entertainment boss Vince Zampella has been engaged in press duties for the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor marketing cycle this week, and is likely having to field questions about the sci-fi action adventure's poor technical performance on PC and consoles alike. In an interview conducted by Barron's Magazine a few days ago, Zampella was probably relieved to have the focus shift to a happier topic - the Titanfall franchise. He seemed to be quite open to the prospect of making a third game: "I hate to say yes, then people latch onto that, and then skewer you when it doesn't come. But I would love to see it happen is the real answer." His studio was founded in order to develop the (multiplayer only) first-person shooter Titanfall (2014), a platform exclusive on PC/Origin and Xbox One. Prior to starting Respawn Entertainment in 2010, Zampella and colleague Jason West were lead designers on the mainline Call of Duty series at Infinity Ward/Activision.

A sequel to the original Titanfall arrived in late 2016 to rave reviews from the press and hardcore fans of the series - the inclusion of a single player campaign was considered to be a highlight - this story campaign borrowed gameplay ideas (to the surprise of many) from Valve's Half Life series, and added time traveling elements to an already mind-bending mobility system. In an unfortunate move for Zampella and Respawn, publisher Electronic Arts decided to launch Titanfall 2 during a very busy release window - the main competition at the time being Activision's Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and (EA's own) Battlefield 1. A mainstream crowd proceeded to ignore the Titanfall sequel thanks to poor marketing on EA's part and a crowded games market - sales figures were underwhelming, even with a PS4 version, and the game was heavily discounted within a couple of months of release. Respawn moved on to create a spin-off multiplayer shooter - the smash hit free-to-play battle royale Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series.

Publisher EA has just announced that they are acquiring Titanfall and Titanfall 2 development studio Respawn Entertainment. The deal, which includes cash, equity, and performance milestone payments valued at $455M, will add one more studio to the publisher's wing, just weeks after EA announced the shuttering of Visceral Studios and the end of its single-player, linear, story-driven Star Wars game. EA fought for this acquisition, outbidding South Korean publisher Nexon, who also had their eyes on Respawn.

"We've had success as an independent company but as we look to how we want to compete in the future, and the challenges that face us in a rapidly changing landscape, now is the time for us to combine forces with a global industry leader like EA," said Vince Zampella, Respawn Entertainment's CEO in a blog post on Respawn's website. "EA will provide us with more resources, access to new technologies, and expertise that we can tap into to that will help us make better games, and Respawn will retain the same creative freedom and culture we've always had," he added. "We've been talking closely with the leadership at EA and we share their values and vision for the future of being a developer-focused company that puts the players first."