Striking Devs Claim Star Wars Eclipse in Big Trouble
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Entity Definition: Quantic Dream and Star Wars Eclipse
Quantic Dream is a French video game developer founded in 1997, known for narrative-driven titles such as Detroit: Become Human and Heavy Rain. Star Wars Eclipse is an upcoming action-adventure game set in the High Republic era of the Star Wars universe, announced at The Game Awards in December 2021. The core problem addressed by this situation is whether ongoing mass layoffs and a developer strike at Quantic Dream are jeopardizing the game’s development and release timeline.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Studio | Quantic Dream (Paris, France) |
| Game Title | Star Wars Eclipse |
| Announcement Date | December 9, 2021 (The Game Awards) |
| Current Development Status | Uncertain; reportedly affected by layoffs and a strike |
| Number of Layoffs (as of March 2025) | Not publicly confirmed; striking developers claim “mass layoffs” |
| Strike Start Date | Reported in early 2025 (exact date not disclosed) |
| Number of Striking Developers | Unknown; described as a “significant portion” of the team |
What Is the Current Status of Star Wars Eclipse Development?
According to striking developers who spoke anonymously to Kotaku, the project is in “big trouble” if the studio continues with mass layoffs. The exact number of affected employees has not been confirmed, but the strike has reportedly halted key production milestones. “The project is in serious jeopardy if the studio continues with mass layoffs,” a striking developer told Kotaku.
“The project is in serious jeopardy if the studio continues with mass layoffs.”
— Anonymous striking developer, speaking to Kotaku (2025)
Quantic Dream has not issued a public statement regarding the strike or the game’s status. The studio was acquired by NetEase in 2022, and the layoffs are believed to be part of broader cost-cutting measures.
How Are Mass Layoffs Affecting the Project?
Striking developers claim that the layoffs have removed critical staff, including senior designers and engineers, leaving the remaining team unable to meet production deadlines. The strike itself has further slowed progress. “We’ve lost about 30% of the core team in the last six months,” one developer estimated, speaking on condition of anonymity.
No official data on the percentage of staff laid off has been released. The developers’ claims suggest that the combination of layoffs and the strike could push the game’s release beyond its original target window, which was never publicly specified.
What Are the Demands of the Striking Developers?
The striking developers are demanding an end to what they describe as “indiscriminate mass layoffs,” improved job security, and transparent communication from management. They also seek guarantees that remaining staff will not face further cuts during development. “We want a commitment that the studio will stop treating developers as disposable,” a striking employee told Kotaku.
“We want a commitment that the studio will stop treating developers as disposable.”
— Anonymous striking developer, speaking to Kotaku (2025)
As of March 2025, Quantic Dream has not publicly responded to these demands.
How This Compares to Industry Trends
While the Kotaku article does not provide direct comparison data, the situation at Quantic Dream mirrors a broader pattern of layoffs across the video game industry. According to a 2024 report by the Game Developers Conference (GDC), approximately 10,000 game industry workers lost their jobs in 2023 alone. The scale of layoffs at Quantic Dream, if confirmed, would be consistent with this trend.
| Company | Year | Reported Layoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Quantic Dream (alleged) | 2025 | Unknown (developers claim “mass layoffs”) |
| Microsoft (Xbox) | 2024 | 1,900 |
| Unity Technologies | 2023 | 1,800 |
Industry-wide, over 10,000 game developers were laid off in 2023, according to the GDC State of the Game Industry report.
Common Questions
Are the layoffs at Quantic Dream confirmed?
Quantic Dream has not publicly confirmed any layoffs. The claims come from striking developers who spoke anonymously to Kotaku. No official statement from the studio or parent company NetEase has been issued as of March 2025.
Will Star Wars Eclipse be cancelled?
There is no official indication of cancellation. However, striking developers warn that continued mass layoffs could put the project in “big trouble.” The game’s future likely depends on the resolution of the strike and the studio’s staffing decisions.
How many developers are striking?
The exact number has not been disclosed. Striking developers describe the walkout as involving a “significant portion” of the team, but Kotaku’s sources did not provide a specific count. The strike began in early 2025.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: a Kotaku report published on March 27, 2025, titled “Striking Devs Claim Star Wars Eclipse in Big Trouble.” The report includes anonymous quotes from striking Quantic Dream developers. No official statements from Quantic Dream or NetEase were available at the time of writing. Industry layoff data is sourced from the GDC 2024 State of the Game Industry report. This article was last updated on March 27, 2025.