Quantic Dream lays off 95 people: What happens to Star Wars Eclipse?
Quantic Dream, the studio behind Beyond Two Souls and Detroit Become Human, is currently navigating a difficult phase. Yesterday, they announced the discontinuation of their MOBA, Spellcasters Chronicles, which was in Early Access. The company is now undergoing restructuring to refocus resources on other projects, which has unfortunately led to staff layoffs.
Key Takeaways
- Quantic Dream is ending Spellcasters Chronicles following a weak Early Access launch and will shut down servers on June 19, 2026.
- The studio cites internal reorganization, while reports suggest up to 95 positions have been affected.
- Star Wars Eclipse remains unaffected according to Quantic Dream and development continues as planned.
Spellcasters Chronicles was Quantic Dream’s attempt to bring a 3v3 MOBA to the market. The game entered Early Access in February 2026, and the Spellcasters servers will be shut down on June 19, 2026. The Steam peak reached only 888 concurrent players, and in recent months, it failed to exceed 100 concurrent users. Fortunately, all Early Access purchases will be refunded upon request.
Why does the end of Spellcasters Chronicles hit Quantic Dream so hard?
Quantic Dream is primarily known for narrative single-player games such as Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human. Spellcasters Chronicles represented a clear shift in strategy: a Free-to-Play 3v3 multiplayer MOBA with a live-service approach—an attempt to branch out. However, the game failed to capture a sufficiently large audience, causing matchmaking issues and ultimately leading to the decision to discontinue the project. The studio itself cited a challenging market environment and the inability to maintain long-term sustainability.
All employees who worked on Spellcasters Chronicles now require new assignments. Quantic Dream stated they intend to redeploy as many staff members as possible internally. However, they cannot accommodate everyone, leading to 95 layoffs—approximately a quarter of the company’s workforce. These figures come from the video game workers’ union (STJV).
What does the reorganization mean for Star Wars Eclipse?
Quantic Dream is currently developing Star Wars Eclipse. According to official statements, this project is not affected by the recent decisions, and development is proceeding as planned. The announcement for Eclipse was made back in 2021, and since then, there have been few concrete gameplay details or release dates. Nevertheless, it is clear that despite the 95 layoffs, work on the single-player title continues.
In April 2026, there were reports regarding slow development and speculation that Spellcasters Chronicles might have been intended as a crucial revenue stream, though this was never officially confirmed. What remains clear is that Spellcasters Chronicles consumed significant resources and impacted the studio as a whole. Quantic Dream will now shift its focus back to its core strengths, such as Star Wars Eclipse.
Conclusion: Returning to core strengths?
Following the end of Spellcasters Chronicles, Quantic Dream faces a significant realignment. The attempt to enter a new genre with a Free-to-Play live-service title clearly failed to reach the player count necessary for long-term viability. For the studio, this is a distinct setback, especially given the scale of the reorganization and the associated layoffs.
Simultaneously, this step may signal a return to the studio’s proven strengths. Star Wars Eclipse remains officially in development and, with its narrative focus, fits much better with the studio’s established reputation. Regardless, caution remains advisable: until new gameplay footage, a release window, or concrete updates are provided, the primary news is simply that the project persists.
Hey, I’m Kilian, but online you’ll probably know me as “Tux1243.” I've been part of the team for almost two years now, always trying to keep you in the loop with the latest and coolest gaming news. I also have a huge passion for doing deep dives and detailed analyses of entire game series and franchises. I love getting to the bottom of things and exploring the little details and backstories that make game worlds so fascinating.
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