Full Breakdown
Quantic Dream Staff Strike to Save Star Wars Eclipse
6/28/2026, 12:10:11 PM
The Strike
On June 25, the French video-game union STJV staged a national picket outside Quantic Dream’s Paris headquarters, demanding that the 115 employees slated for redundancy after the cancellation of *Spellcasters Chronicles* be retained and reassigned to complete the long-delayed Star Wars Eclipse.
Background and Staffing Context
*Spellcasters Chronicles* was discontinued after a brief early-access run, prompting layoffs that would affect roughly a quarter of Quantic Dream’s Paris staff. Developers say the dismissed 115 workers could be redeployed to *Star Wars Eclipse*, a narrative-driven action-adventure announced at the 2021 Game Awards that still lacks a release window or confirmed platforms. Parts of the game are already complete, but progress has stalled since the end of last year.
Official Statements & Responses
STJV called for a “national mobilization” and organized the picket. Lucasfilm Games sent a delegation to the studio the same day to assess progress. Quantic Dream’s leadership, cited in a Bespin Bulletin conclusion, expressed belief that “there is a light at the end of the tunnel” and that they are working toward a resolution.
Criticism & Opposition
Staff accuse management of mismanagement and a “lack of vision” that stalls progress. Jules warned the studio is “understaffed, like in many other companies in the sector,” and that reliance on “passion” fuels unsustainable crunch. Théo said the redundancy plan “disrupts the project itself” and that management refuses to reallocate staff because it would require cutting content.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We could manage to release it with 115 additional people, and that wouldn’t be ‘overstaffed’: it’s what’s needed.” — Jules, *Star Wars Eclipse* developer
- “Staff Speak Out Affected Quantic Dream developer Théo tells Gamekult: “We believe that, as things stand, the game literally cannot be finished if the redundancy plan is implemented as currently scheduled.” — Théo, *Star Wars Eclipse* developer
- “We could manage to release it with 115 additional people, and that wouldn’t be ‘overstaffed’: it’s what’s needed. We’re understaffed, like in many other companies in the sector, because bosses know very well that passion will lead people to crunch time and that games will eventually be released. But it’s impossible to run a sustainable industry like that.” — Jules, *Star Wars Eclipse* developer
- “They told us they don’t want to touch the Star Wars Eclipse team so as not to disrupt the project. But launching the redundancy plan has already disrupted the project itself!” — Théo, *Star Wars Eclipse* developer
Why It Matters
The strike’s outcome will determine whether Quantic Dream can deliver a high-profile Star Wars title, affect labor practices in the French game sector, and influence Lucasfilm’s franchise strategy.
What’s Next
Lucasfilm’s review team continues monitoring the studio while STJV and Quantic Dream’s management negotiate the fate of the 115 staff and the path to completing *Star Wars Eclipse*.
