Trouble in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Star Wars: Eclipse Devs Strike Over Staffing

Remember that super cool cinematic trailer for Star Wars: Eclipse that dropped back in 2021? It felt like ages ago, and honestly, many of us probably forgot about it amidst all the other gaming news. Developed by Quantic Dream, the studio behind titles like Detroit: Become Human, this Star Wars adventure promised something epic. But it looks like things are a bit shaky behind the scenes, with reports suggesting the game is facing some serious challenges, primarily due to a lack of staff.

Our fellow gamers working behind the scenes at Quantic Dream are reportedly feeling the heat. They’ve apparently gone on strike, making their voices heard about the studio being severely understaffed. The core issue? A significant number of employees were laid off earlier this year after another Quantic Dream project, a live-service MOBA called Spellcaster Chronicles, was canceled in May.

According to insights from inside the studio, these 115 laid-off staff members are exactly what Star Wars: Eclipse needs to see the light of day. Developers claim that letting them go has severely hurt the game’s chances of ever reaching completion. In a bold move, they even staged a strike during a visit from LucasFilm representatives, making sure their concerns were heard by the powers that be.

One developer, identified as Jules, reportedly emphasized that this wasn’t an act of sabotage but an effort to save the ambitious Star Wars title. “We could manage to release it with 115 additional people, and that wouldn’t be ‘overstaffed’: it’s what’s needed. We’re understaffed,” they stated, highlighting a common problem in the industry where studios rely on passion leading to crunch rather than proper staffing. It’s a tough situation for anyone in game development.

Adding another layer of complexity to this saga is the fact that Quantic Dream was acquired by Chinese tech giant NetEase in 2022. Employees claim that it was NetEase’s decision to pull the plug on Spellcaster Chronicles, even though Quantic Dream’s own management reportedly thought it was a good idea to keep pouring resources into the live-service project. This has created a clear rift between the studio’s management and its new owners.

Another developer, Théo, expressed frustration, saying that Quantic Dream’s management often points fingers at NetEase when it comes to budget and crucial decisions. “Fine, then bring NetEase in!” they reportedly demanded, wanting the parent company at the negotiating table to address the staffing crisis directly. It seems like the team wants clearer communication and accountability.

This initial strike isn’t a one-off event. It’s reportedly part of a larger series of protests dubbed the “Summer Strike Fest,” planned to continue until September. The goal is clear: make management understand that Star Wars: Eclipse, which studio founder David Cage himself calls a “particularly ambitious project,” simply cannot be completed without the necessary manpower. As Théo put it, “So let him give us the means to achieve his ambitions.”

It’s a developing story, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on it here at PakGamersHub. Hopefully, a resolution can be found soon so this promising Star Wars game can get back on track!