Quantic Dream Employees Strike Over Layoffs That Could Threaten Star Wars Eclipse

Quantic Dream employees have staged a strike outside the studio’s Paris headquarters, warning that planned layoffs could put Star Wars Eclipse at serious risk. Workers say up to 115 employees from the recently closed Spellcasters Chronicles team could lose their jobs, even though the studio may need those people to complete its long delayed Star Wars project.

The protest took place during an important visit from Lucasfilm, which reportedly came to review progress on Star Wars Eclipse. Employees used the timing to draw attention to concerns about the game’s future, the proposed job cuts, and the amount of work still needed to finish the project.

Star Wars Eclipse was announced at The Game Awards in 2021 and has remained one of the most anticipated Star Wars games in development. However, reports have suggested that production has faced major difficulties, including hiring problems, slow progress, and uncertainty around Quantic Dream’s ownership.

Spellcasters Chronicles Closure Put 115 Jobs at Risk

The dispute began after Quantic Dream shut down Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 multiplayer game that had only been live for a short period. The closure reportedly led to an internal reorganization, with as many as 115 employees now facing redundancy.

Workers argue that these developers should not be removed from the company. Instead, they believe the staff could be moved onto Star Wars Eclipse, where their skills and experience may be needed as development continues.

Developers involved in the strike said they are not trying to disrupt Star Wars Eclipse. Their argument is that protecting jobs could also protect the game. They believe the studio is already understaffed and that removing another large group of employees would make the project harder to finish.

Workers Say Star Wars Eclipse Needs More Staff, Not Fewer

Employees reportedly said that many former Spellcasters Chronicles staff members have had little or no work since that game was closed. They argue that this time could have been used to train people on the tools, systems, and workflows needed for Star Wars Eclipse.

According to the workers, the game requires more production capacity, not less. They warned that relying on remaining staff to absorb more work could lead to crunch, delays, and a lower quality final release.

This concern is familiar across the wider games industry. Major projects often lose time when teams are reduced, even if companies expect the remaining staff to take over unfinished work. Training, handovers, technical knowledge, and creative coordination all take time.

For a game as large as Star Wars Eclipse, a major staff reduction could create further challenges.

NetEase Ownership Questions Add More Uncertainty

The situation is also complicated by reports that NetEase may be considering selling Quantic Dream. NetEase acquired the studio in early 2023, but the company’s future plans for Quantic Dream remain unclear.

If ownership changes, Star Wars Eclipse could face additional uncertainty. A new owner may decide to continue development, provide more funding, reduce the project’s scale, or reconsider the entire plan.

Lucasfilm’s involvement is especially important because Star Wars Eclipse depends on the licensed Star Wars brand. The visit to Quantic Dream reportedly gave workers an opportunity to make their concerns visible to a key partner connected to the game.

Star Wars Eclipse Still Has No Release Date

Quantic Dream has not announced a release date for Star Wars Eclipse, and the game has already spent years in development. The project is expected to be a story focused action adventure game, but official details remain limited.

The strike shows how much pressure now surrounds the project. Employees believe the planned layoffs could weaken the team at a critical point, while the company faces wider questions about its business direction.

For fans waiting for Star Wars Eclipse, the biggest issue is whether Quantic Dream can stabilize its workforce and keep development moving. Until the studio provides a clearer update, the future of the game remains uncertain.