The gaming world has been abuzz with speculation about Titanfall 3, the long-awaited sequel to Respawn Entertainment’s critically acclaimed sci-fi shooter series. Fans of the franchise, which revolutionized the first-person shooter (FPS) genre with its innovative mix of fast-paced pilot combat and towering Titan mechs, have clung to every rumor and leak suggesting a third installment might finally be on the horizon. However, just as hope began to swell—fueled by recent whispers from Apex Legends leakers—industry insider Jeff Grubb delivered a gut punch to the Titanfall community: “It isn’t real.” In this 1500-word deep dive, we’ll explore the rollercoaster of emotions Titanfall fans have endured, the context behind Grubb’s statement, and what the future might hold for this beloved franchise.
A Brief History of Titanfall and Its Legacy
To understand the weight of this disappointment, we need to rewind to the origins of Titanfall. Launched in 2014 by Respawn Entertainment—a studio founded by ex-Call of Duty masterminds Vince Zampella and Jason West—the original Titanfall introduced players to a futuristic battlefield where agile pilots zipped across maps with wall-running and double-jumps, only to call down massive, customizable Titans for explosive mech combat. While it lacked a traditional single-player campaign, its multiplayer was hailed as a breath of fresh air in a genre dominated by military shooters.
Then came Titanfall 2 in 2016, a sequel that many consider one of the greatest FPS games ever made. With a gripping single-player campaign—highlighted by the unforgettable time-bending level “Effect and Cause”—and a refined multiplayer suite, it showcased Respawn’s creative genius. Yet, despite critical acclaim, Titanfall 2 struggled commercially, overshadowed by its ill-timed release between juggernauts Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The game’s cult following grew over time, but its sales never matched its quality, leaving fans yearning for a proper conclusion to the trilogy.
The Rise and Fall of Titanfall 3 Rumors
Fast forward to 2025, and Titanfall fans have been teased relentlessly. The franchise seemed dormant after Respawn shifted focus to Apex Legends, a battle royale spin-off set in the Titanfall universe that exploded in popularity upon its 2019 debut. While Apex borrowed mechanics like wall-running and featured nods to Titanfall lore, it left mech enthusiasts wanting more. Over the years, sporadic rumors of Titanfall 3 surfaced, only to be dashed by Respawn or EA statements—or deafening silence.
The latest wave of hope crested in early 2025 when two prominent Apex Legends leakers, Osvaldatore and Yorotsuki, claimed Titanfall 3 was nearing completion. Osvaldatore even teased a potential reveal at The Game Awards 2025, with a release slated for 2026. These leaks weren’t entirely baseless—Respawn had posted job listings in 2024 for “multiplayer FPS experiences,” and the studio’s success with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor suggested they could juggle multiple projects. Fans dared to dream of a next-gen Titanfall built on Unreal Engine 5, blending the series’ signature gameplay with a robust campaign and multiplayer suite.
But dreams don’t always survive reality. On April 9, 2025, Jeff Grubb, a respected industry journalist with a solid track record, addressed these rumors on his Game Breaking News podcast. His words were blunt: “This isn’t real. I’m sorry, it’s not real.” Grubb’s statement wasn’t just a casual dismissal—he backed it up with insight into Respawn’s current operations, effectively crushing the fragile optimism that had built up in the community.
What Grubb Said—and What It Means
Grubb didn’t stop at denying the rumors. He offered a glimpse into Respawn’s inner workings, revealing that while Titanfall 3 as fans envisioned it isn’t in development, there’s a sliver of activity tied to the franchise. He noted that Steve Fukuda, the director of the original Titanfall, leads a small “Skunkworks” team at Respawn. This group, Grubb speculated, is “probably messing around with games that have Titans in them.” However, he was quick to temper expectations: whatever Fukuda’s team is prototyping, it’s far from a finished product, let alone a full-fledged Titanfall 3 ready for a 2026 launch.
This revelation aligns with past reports. In 2023, it emerged that Respawn had worked on Titanfall 3 for 10 months before pivoting to Apex Legends. More recently, a canceled project codenamed Titanfall Legends—a hybrid of Apex and Titanfall—hinted at the studio’s reluctance to commit to a traditional sequel. Grubb’s comments suggest that while the Titanfall spirit lingers at Respawn, it’s more of a creative sandbox than a priority project. For fans, this is a bittersweet pill: Titans might not be dead, but they’re not charging into battle anytime soon.
Why Titanfall 3 Remains Elusive
So why hasn’t Titanfall 3 materialized despite its vocal fanbase? The answer lies in a mix of business pragmatism and industry trends. Apex Legends is a cash cow for EA, boasting over 100 million players and a thriving live-service model that generates consistent revenue through microtransactions. In contrast, Titanfall 2’s underwhelming sales—despite its brilliance—likely made EA wary of investing in another single-player-heavy shooter with a multiplayer component that might not retain players long-term.
Respawn’s plate is also full. Beyond Apex, the studio is developing a third Star Wars Jedi game, a franchise that’s proven both critically and commercially successful. Adding Titanfall 3 to the mix would stretch resources thin, especially with EA’s history of canceling unannounced Respawn projects—some reportedly tied to Titanfall. The FPS genre itself has shifted, too, with battle royales and live-service games dominating over traditional campaigns, making a Titanfall sequel a riskier bet.
The Fan Reaction: Heartbreak and Hope
The Titanfall community’s response to Grubb’s bombshell has been a mix of despair and defiance. On platforms like Reddit and X, fans lamented the lost potential of a third game. “Titanfall 2 was a masterpiece—how can they just abandon it?” one user wrote, echoing a common sentiment. Others pointed to the franchise’s influence, with its movement mechanics inspiring titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Apex Legends itself. The heartbreak is palpable, but some cling to Grubb’s mention of Fukuda’s team as a faint glimmer of hope.
This isn’t the first time fans have faced disappointment. In 2021, Respawn’s Jason Garza said, “We don’t have anything in the works,” a statement that mirrors Grubb’s. Yet, the periodic resurgence of Titanfall 2—like its 2023 Steam player spike after a server fix—shows the series’ enduring appeal. Fans have even launched grassroots campaigns, like the “Save Titanfall” movement, to pressure EA and Respawn into reviving the franchise.
What’s Next for Titanfall?
If Titanfall 3 isn’t happening, what does the future hold? Grubb’s comments suggest Respawn isn’t entirely done with Titans. Fukuda’s Skunkworks team could be experimenting with concepts—a smaller-scale game, a Titanfall-infused Apex mode, or even a proof-of-concept for a distant sequel. Industry trends might eventually favor a revival, too; if battle royale fatigue sets in, a return to Titanfall’s roots could find an audience hungry for its unique blend of chaos and strategy.
For now, though, Titanfall fans are left in limbo. The franchise’s legacy is secure—Titanfall 2 remains a benchmark for FPS design—but its future is uncertain. Grubb’s stark “It isn’t real” may have extinguished the latest spark of hope, but the Titanfall faithful will likely keep dreaming of a day when Titans fall once more.
Conclusion
Jeff Grubb’s debunking of Titanfall 3 rumors is a harsh reality check for a community that’s waited nearly a decade for closure. While Respawn’s focus on Apex Legends and Star Wars makes sense from a business standpoint, it’s hard not to mourn the untapped potential of a third Titanfall. Whether Fukuda’s team can resurrect the Titans in some form remains to be seen, but for now, fans must grapple with a familiar refrain: “It isn’t real.” Still, the passion for Titanfall endures—proof that even in defeat, this franchise’s impact reverberates through gaming history.
