Respawn Entertainment

Jason West and Vince Zampella had been leads at Infinity Ward, a subsidiary of Activision founded in 2002. Infinity Ward was a principal studio on the Call of Duty series, and in 2007, released Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, a critical success for the series. West and Zampella leveraged the success of Modern Warfare to renegotiate their contracts with Activision in 2008, asking for large bonuses and creative control of the series in exchange for releasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in 2009, which Activision agreed to on the condition that the control would revert to Activision if the pair were fired. From that point, Activision sought ways to trigger that clause, and West and Zampella looked for ways to make Infinity Ward independent. Events came to a head in March 2010 when the two were fired from Activision, forfeiting their bonuses. Several lawsuits followed, with West and Zampella accusing Activision of unpaid bonuses while Activision countersued that the two had conspired with Electronic Arts (EA) to damage Infinity Ward, but these suits were ultimately settled out of court.{{cite web | url = https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/06/lawsuit-video-game-activision-zampella-west | title = Modern Warfare |url-access=limited | first = Max | last = Chafkin | date = June 11, 2013 | access-date = January 2, 2020 | work = Vanity Fair | archive-date = February 9, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150209053639/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2013/06/lawsuit-video-game-activision-zampella-west | url-status = live }}

In April 2010, a month after their release from Activision, West and Zampella set off to form a new independent studio, Respawn Entertainment. They sought funding from EA through the EA Partners Program. West and Zampella will retain the rights to all intellectual property produced by them in the future.{{cite web |last=Pham |first=Alex |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-ct-callofduty12-2010apr12,0,6466384.story |title=Jason West and Vincent Zampella's new call of duty |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 12, 2010 |author2=Ben Fritz |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=April 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413185146/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-ct-callofduty12-2010apr12,0,6466384.story |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/respawn-entertainment/ |title=Respawn Entertainment announced by ex-IW heads, partnering with EA |publisher=Joystiq |date=April 12, 2010 |first=Christopher |last=Grant |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817070617/https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/respawn-entertainment/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Reilly |first=Jim |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/12/infinity-ward-founders-developing-a-big-blockbuster |title=Infinity Ward Founders Developing A 'Big Blockbuster' |publisher=IGN |date=April 12, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209033304/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/12/infinity-ward-founders-developing-a-big-blockbuster |url-status=live }} As of July 10, 2010, 38 of the 46 Infinity Ward employees who resigned from that studio following the firings of West and Zampella revealed through their LinkedIn and Facebook profiles that they had signed on with Respawn Entertainment.{{cite web |url=http://www.cynicalsmirk.com/who_remains_at_infinity_ward.html |title=Who Remains At Infinity Ward ? |publisher=Cynicalsmirk.com |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230020509/http://www.cynicalsmirk.com/who_remains_at_infinity_ward.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179080 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720160613/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179080 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=Who Remains at Infinity Ward? |publisher=cynicalsmirk.com |date=May 25, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2010 }}

EA Games Label president Frank Gibeau revealed at E3 2011 in June 2011 that Respawn Entertainment's EA-published shooter was "sci-fi oriented" and would allow the publisher to "compete with things like Gears and Halo".{{cite web |author=Andy Robinson |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/306326/respawn-title-is-a-sci-fi-shooter-will-compete-with-halo-gears-ea/ |title=News: Respawn title is a 'sci-fi shooter', will 'compete with Halo, Gears' - EA |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812230859/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/306326/respawn-title-is-a-sci-fi-shooter-will-compete-with-halo-gears-ea/ |url-status=live }} Gibeau also stated that EA would release Respawn's project when it saw an "opportunistic" window. Later that month, Respawn released a blurry teaser image of its unannounced game via the official website launched that day.{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/309647/ex-call-of-duty-boys-tease-new-game-with-image/ |title=News: Ex-Call of Duty boys tease new game with image |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204182358/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/309647/ex-call-of-duty-boys-tease-new-game-with-image/ |url-status=live }} Respawn further released another blurry image, and teased the new game with mo-cap shot.{{cite web |last=Cullen |first=Johnny |url=http://www.vg247.com/2011/12/20/respawn-releases-another-blurry-image-from-first-project/ |title=Respawn releases another blurry image from first project |publisher=VG247 |date=December 20, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622115317/https://www.vg247.com/2011/12/20/respawn-releases-another-blurry-image-from-first-project/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Cullen |first=Johnny |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/01/05/respawn-further-teases-new-game-with-mo-cap-shot/ |title=Respawn further teases new game with mo-cap shot |publisher=VG247 |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724122354/https://www.vg247.com/2012/01/05/respawn-further-teases-new-game-with-mo-cap-shot/ |url-status=live }} West left the company in March 2013, with Zampella saying that his departure was "to take care of some family issues".{{cite web |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |title=Respawn Entertainment co-founder Jason West retires |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/3/4060292/respawn-jason-west-retirement |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307005608/https://www.polygon.com/2013/3/3/4060292/respawn-jason-west-retirement |archive-date=March 7, 2013 |date=March 3, 2013 |url-status=live}} The following month, Respawn registered a trademark for the name Titan,{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Tom|title=Respawn registers trademark for Titan|newspaper=Eurogamer.net|date=April 16, 2013|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-16-respawn-registers-trademark-for-titan|publisher=Eurogamer|access-date=May 16, 2013|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125151608/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-16-respawn-registers-trademark-for-titan|url-status=live}} and it was reported that Respawn's game was an always-online Xbox exclusive, although nothing had been confirmed.{{cite news|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|title=Respawn game is reportedly an always-online Xbox exclusive|newspaper=Eurogamer.net|date=April 30, 2013|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-30-respawn-game-is-reportedly-an-always-online-xbox-exclusive|publisher=Eurogamer|access-date=May 16, 2013|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118073611/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-30-respawn-game-is-reportedly-an-always-online-xbox-exclusive|url-status=live}}

In June 2013, Respawn Entertainment debuted Titanfall at E3. On October 22 they revealed the release date of the game to be March 11, 2014, in North America, and March 13 in Europe. In March 2015, it was announced that Respawn was developing a sequel, Titanfall 2, which was later released on October 28, 2016.

In June 2014, it was announced that Stig Asmussen, who previously worked for Santa Monica Studio on the God of War series, had joined the studio as game director of a second project that had nothing to do with Titanfall.{{cite web|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|title=E3 2014: Veteran God of War Dev Joins Titanfall Studio|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-veteran-god-of-war-dev-joins-titanfall-studio/1100-6420459/|publisher=Gamespot|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814162412/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-veteran-god-of-war-dev-joins-titanfall-studio/1100-6420459/|url-status=live}} From job listings in January 2016, it was found that the project was to be a third person action-adventure game.{{cite web|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|title=Titanfall studio hiring for new third-person action-adventure title|date=January 12, 2016|url=http://www.vg247.com/2016/01/12/titanfall-studio-hiring-for-new-third-person-action-adventure-title|publisher=VG247|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802061300/https://www.vg247.com/2016/01/12/titanfall-studio-hiring-for-new-third-person-action-adventure-title/|url-status=live}} On May 4, 2016 – Star Wars Day – Asmussen announced Respawn Entertainment was making a third-person Star Wars game,{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-04-titanfall-developer-respawn-is-making-a-third-person-star-wars-game|title=Titanfall developer Respawn is making a third-person Star Wars game|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=Eurogamer|date=May 4, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505012459/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-04-titanfall-developer-respawn-is-making-a-third-person-star-wars-game|url-status=live}} later revealed to be Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at E3 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-09-respawns-star-wars-game-announced-as-jedi-fallen-order|title=Respawn's Star Wars game announced as Jedi: Fallen Order|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=Eurogamer|date=June 9, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217113052/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-09-respawns-star-wars-game-announced-as-jedi-fallen-order|url-status=live}}

In October 2017, it was announced that Respawn Entertainment was developing a virtual reality first person shooter title for the Oculus Rift, which was formally revealed as Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond in September 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/respawn-entertainment-teaming-oculus-new-game/|title=Respawn Entertainment Teaming With Oculus For New game|first=Tanner|last=Pierce|work=DualShockers|date=October 11, 2017|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018012342/https://www.dualshockers.com/respawn-entertainment-teaming-oculus-new-game/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/25/20880808/medal-of-honor-oculus-rift-above-and-beyond-respawn|title=Respawn is making a new Medal of Honor game for VR|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=September 25, 2019|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009052603/https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/25/20880808/medal-of-honor-oculus-rift-above-and-beyond-respawn|url-status=live}}

In November 2017, Electronic Arts acquired the company for {{US$|151 million|link=yes}} in cash and up to {{US$|164 million}} in equity.{{Cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=EA to acquire Titanfall developer Respawn |work=Polygon |date=November 9, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/9/16631136/ea-acquires-respawn-entertainment-titanfall-star-wars |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015624/https://www.polygon.com/2017/11/9/16631136/ea-acquires-respawn-entertainment-titanfall-star-wars |url-status=live }} The acquisition was completed on December 1, 2017.{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-now-owns-titanfall-developer-respawn/1100-6455409/ |title=EA Now Owns Titanfall Developer Respawn |publisher=GameSpot |date=December 5, 2017 |access-date=December 7, 2017 |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719080449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-now-owns-titanfall-developer-respawn/1100-6455409/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2019, Respawn Entertainment debuted Apex Legends via YouTube livestream. This debut had no prior announcement or marketing. The game was released the same day as the livestream on February 4, 2019.{{Cite web|title=Respawn says it's 'putting a lot on the line' with Apex Legends' surprise launch|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18210935/apex-legends-respawn-ea-surprise-launch-battle-royale-big-gamble|last=Statt|first=Nick|date=2019-02-04|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015622/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18210935/apex-legends-respawn-ea-surprise-launch-battle-royale-big-gamble|url-status=live}}

On its tenth anniversary, Respawn announced it was opening a new studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, to focus on ongoing development of Apex Legends. The studio is located on the EA Vancouver campus as to be able to tap into their resources.

On January 25, 2022, it was announced that Respawn was developing a sequel to Jedi Fallen Order alongside an original Star Wars FPS and a strategy game. Peter Hirshmann will direct the FPS and Bit Reactor will co-develop the strategy game.{{Cite web|last=Arts|first=Electronic|date=2022-01-25|title=Electronic Arts & Lucasfilm Games announce new Star Wars titles from Respawn Entertainment|url=https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/electronic-arts-and-lucasfilm-games-announce-new-star-wars-titles-from-respawn-entertainment|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Electronic Arts Inc.|language=en|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325144758/https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/electronic-arts-and-lucasfilm-games-announce-new-star-wars-titles-from-respawn-entertainment|url-status=live}}

On March 20, 2023, Respawn announced they were opening a third studio to keep Apex Legends going for "10 to 15 years", this time in Madison, Wisconsin with Call of Duty veteran Ryan Burnett to lead the company in that branch. Prior to his previous position at Epic Games as director of engine production, Burnett spent 14 years at Call of Duty studio Raven Software – just one of the major studios based in the area.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-20 |title=Respawn opens third studio to keep Apex Legends going for '10 to 15 years' |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/respawn-opens-third-studio-to-keep-apex-legends-going-for-10-to-15-years |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320133414/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/respawn-opens-third-studio-to-keep-apex-legends-going-for-10-to-15-years |url-status=live }}

In September 2023, it was announced that Asmussen had left to Respawn to pursue other creative endeavors.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-13 |title='Star Wars' Video-Game Director Stig Asmussen Leaves Electronic Arts |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-13/electronic-arts-executive-behind-star-wars-hits-leaves-company |access-date=2023-09-13 |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230913195740/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-13/electronic-arts-executive-behind-star-wars-hits-leaves-company |url-status=live }} In March 2024, "around two dozen" Respawn employees were laid off as part of EA's previously announced effort to cut 5% of its global workforce. It was also announced that the Star Wars FPS Respawn was developing had been canceled, with the fate of the strategy game being unclear.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=2024-03-14 |title=Respawn Hit by 23 Layoffs Amid EA's Ongoing Cuts, With Apex Legends Among the Games Impacted |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/apex-legends-hit-by-layoffs-amid-eas-ongoing-reductions |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2024-02-28 |title=Respawn's Star Wars FPS Is Canceled, But Work on Next Jedi Game, Black Panther and Iron Man Will Continue |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/respawns-star-wars-fps-is-canceled-but-work-on-next-jedi-game-black-panther-and-iron-man-will-continue |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=IGN |language=en}}

Colette is a 24-minute short film directed by Anthony Giacchino that was produced for inclusion in Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond as an installment in its Gallery series of short documentaries. The film follows former French Resistance member Colette Marin-Catherine as she travels to Germany for the first time in 74 years to visit the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp where her brother died at the hands of the Nazis.{{cite news|last= Spangler|first= Todd|date= 2021-03-15|url= https://variety.com/2021/gaming/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/|title= Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short|work= Variety|access-date= 30 March 2021|archive-date= October 19, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211019230846/https://variety.com/2021/gaming/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/|url-status= live}}

Of the Gallery shorts, Colette garnered particular recognition for its cinematic value. Respawn and Oculus submitted it to various film festivals, including the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival where it won the award for Best Short, making it eligible for submission to the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for awards consideration.{{cite press release|author= |title= 'Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond' Gallery Film 'Colette' Receives Oscar Nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject|url= https://www.oculus.com/blog/medal-of-honor-above-and-beyond-gallery-film-colette-receives-oscar-nomination-for-best-documentary-short-subject/|location= |publisher= Oculus|agency= |date= 2021-03-19|access-date= 2021-03-30|archive-date= October 20, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211020083654/https://www.oculus.com/blog/medal-of-honor-above-and-beyond-gallery-film-colette-receives-oscar-nomination-for-best-documentary-short-subject/|url-status= live}} Subsequently, Colette was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 93rd Academy Awards, making the short the first production by a video game company to win an Oscar.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/15/the-full-list-of-2021-oscar-nominations |title=The full list of 2021 Oscars nominations |work=The Guardian |date=March 15, 2021 |access-date=15 March 2021 |last1=Film |first1=Guardian |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315131746/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/15/the-full-list-of-2021-oscar-nominations |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/ | title = Facebook Gets First-Ever Oscar Nomination for 'Colette' Documentary Short | first = Todd | last = Spangler | date = 15 March 2021 | accessdate = 30 March 2021 | work = Variety | archive-date = June 2, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230602095521/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/facebook-oscar-nomination-colette-oculus-1234931342/ | url-status = live }}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Portal bar|California|Companies|Video games}}

{{Respawn}}

{{Electronic Arts}}

Category:2010 establishments in California

Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions

Category:American companies established in 2010

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles

Category:Electronic Arts subsidiaries

Category:Video game companies established in 2010

Category:Video game development companies