Pre-production began in 2011 , and Respawn 's first game was originally planned for seventh generation consoles . The idea for the game did not come easily , and the team arrived at its multiplayer-only and human-mech focus after much internal debate . The team started with open collaboration about games and game mechanics they found exciting , and no market research . Respawn artist Joel Emslie recalled starting with a human-sized suit as a " second skin " , which the designers grew in size . As Respawn did n't have the necessary computers , the artists resorted to kitbashing and model making — Emslie prototyped by putting a figurine inside a plastic model kit . The team progressed to detailed , foot-high " mechettes " made of wood , wire , and plastic , which became the Atlas Titan . Project influences include '' Blade Runner '' , '' Star Wars '' , '' Abrams Battle Tank '' , and Masamune Shirow of '' Ghost in the Shell '' . Emslie refers to the aesthetic as a " used future " . Their production was unconventional , similar to Infinity Ward 's old practices , and the game did n't have design documentation . At E3 2011 , Electronic Arts Labels president Frank Gibeau revealed that Respawn 's first project was a science fiction shooter published by Electronic Arts . Two project leads left the company to begin their own studio in mid-2012 , and West retired in March 2013
E3 2011
E3 2011
Titanfall