Star Citizen Producer Dies

Rupert Easterbrook, a highly respected figure in the games industry with a career spanning 40 years, has passed away. Best known for his role as producer on Star Citizen, Easterbrook began his journey in gaming as an associate producer at EA back in 1987.

The news was shared by veteran game developer Jane Whittaker, known for her work on the Atari Jaguar’s Alien vs. Predator. In a LinkedIn post, Whittaker wrote, “It is with the deepest sadness that I can confirm the passing of video game industry veteran Rupert Easterbrook. Rupert passed away suddenly, and I have been asked to share funeral arrangements when they are available.”

Whittaker paid further tribute on Twitter, stating, “Deeply saddened to share the passing of Rupert Easterbrook, producer of Star Citizen and Populous, Powermonger producer at EA, and founder of EA Europe. Condolences to his family and friends.”

Easterbrook's career highlights include founding EA's UK branch and holding senior production roles at companies like Sony, SEGA, and Take-Two Interactive. Recently, he joined Luminaries Entertainment after leaving Star Citizen, where he contributed to multiple unannounced projects—one of which has now reached the prototype stage.

Although not widely recognized by gaming fans, Easterbrook’s influence has been monumental, particularly during gaming’s rise in the 3D era. His contributions helped shape many beloved games throughout the 90s and early 2000s.

As a legacy, Star Citizen, one of Easterbrook’s final projects, continues its development, with its single-player campaign, Squadron 42, anticipated for release in 2026.